Traveling to Provo for a Friday night meet, the SUU gymnastics team secured a 194.750-193.375 victory over rival BYU.
First rotation
The Thunderbirds began the night on the bars rotation, scoring a 49.050. Brinlee Christensen began the evening with a 9.650, and Isabella Neff followed with a 9.725. Mia Hampton continued the trend of higher scoring, tallying a rotation-high 9.875, which Trista Goodman followed with a solid 9.850. Niya Randolph (9.775) and Maria Ferguson (9.825) rounded out the scores for SUU.
Mia got us off to a strong start in Provo with a 9.875 on bars 😮💨
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/1M8FWOS9ib
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 18, 2025
Second rotation
After a solid opening rotation, Southern Utah moved to the vault for its second, scoring a 48.775.
Ellie Cacciola got things started with a 9.750, followed by a Mackenzie Kelly 9.825. A 9.700 from Hampton and a pair of 9.750s from Goodman and Randolph were next before Christensen ended with a 9.525. At the midway point of the meet, the Flippin’ Birds led by nearly a full point.
Don’t worry Mack, our jaws are dropped too 🤯
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/7fXJyAEfeH
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 18, 2025
Third rotation
SUU moved to the floor next, recording a 48.600 to extend its lead over the Cougars.
Hampton began the rotation with a 9.725 before Christensen followed with a 9.600. Cacciola then recorded a rotation-best 9.875, which was followed by a 9.725 from Taylor Gull and a 9.625 via Randolph. Alyssa Fernandez finished up the scoring, tallying a 9.700 as the T-birds moved the final rotation.
Ellie’s 9.875 on floor keeps the Flippin’ Birds in the lead 👏
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/4RimSuSEoe
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 18, 2025
Final rotation
The T-birds wrapped up the meet with a 48.325 score on the beam, securing a 194.750-193.375 victory.
Elliot Bringhurst began with a 9.600, while Fernandez and Randolph followed by each scoring a 9.700. Cacciola stumbled to a 9.375 before Hampton notched a 9.575. Rylee Miller capped the evening with a 9.750, securing the win for SUU over another in-state foe.
Up next
Southern Utah will have a quick turnaround, taking part in the Best of Utah meet at the Maverik Center in West Valley on Monday, Jan. 20.
The Flippin’ Birds will battle for in-state supremacy, facing off against Utah, BYU, and Utah State.
The meet is slated to begin at 6 p.m. MT and can be seen on either ESPN+ or BYUtv.
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics.
SUU basketball: Women defeat Seattle U, men fall to Redhawks
