Traveling to Logan, the SUU gymnastics team defeated former conference rival Utah State on Friday night, 195.000-194.150.
First rotation
The T-birds began the meet on the uneven bars, scoring 48.350. Brinlee Christensen started things with a 9.875, followed by a 9.850 from Isabella Neff. Mia Hampton then scored 8.975 following a fall before Trista Goodman responded with 9.800. Niya Randolph (9.850) and Maria Ferguson (8.875) rounded out the scoring for SUU.
Second rotation
Southern Utah moved to the vault next, tallying a 48.950 score. Ellie Cacciola began with 9.850 before scores of 9.775 (Mackenzie Kelly) and 9.700 (Hampton) wrapped up the first half of the rotation. Goodman (9.700), Randolph (9.825), and Christensen (9.800) totaled the final three scores of the event.
Third rotation
The Flippin’ Birds transitioned to the floor next, recording a 48.725 score. Hampton began with a 9.800, which Christensen followed with a 9.700 and Cacciola added a 9.775. Taylor Gull then recorded a 9.750 score, followed by a pair of 9.700s from Randolph and Alyssa Fernandez. With just one event remaining, SUU trailed the Aggies by 0.075.
Final rotation
The T-birds capped the meet on the beam, totaling 48.975 to secure the comeback victory. Elliot Bringhust started the rotation with a team-high score of 9.925, which Fernandez and Randolph followed with scores of 9.725 and 9.750. Cacciola turned up with an impressive 9.900, but a Christensen stumble led to an 8.950. Rylee Miller secured the win for SUU, notching a 9.675 to finish off a 195.000-194.150 road victory.
Up next
Southern Utah travels to Provo next, facing in-state foe and former conference rival BYU.
The Flippin’ Birds and Cougars will battle on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. MT, with the dual meet streaming on ESPN+.
