BOISE, Idaho – Battling the Broncos in a rematch from the week prior, a pair of falls on the balance beam proved costly for the SUU gymnastics team in a 196.775-196.125 defeat in the regular season finale.
Sophomore Brinlee Christensen set a new career-best in the all-around, totaling a score of 39.450, which also moved her into the top five scores in program history.
First rotation – uneven bars
Southern Utah began the evening on bars, recording a score of 49.175. Niya Randolph started the meet with a 9.825 score, which Mia Hampton and Maria Ferguson followed with identical 9.800 scores. Christensen was next, recording a team-high 9.900 before Alex Routsis capped the rotation with a 9.850.
Second rotation – vault
The Flippin’ Birds moved to the vault next, securing a 49.150. Ellie Cacciola started the rotation with a 9.850, which Mackenzie Kelly matched (9.850) before Hampton recorded a 9.825. Randolph (9.800) and Christensen (9.825) were next, and Ellie Thomson wrapped up the rotation with a 9.775.
Third rotation – floor
SUU moved to the floor for its third rotation, notching a 49.350 score. Hampton began with a 9.825, which was followed by a 9.825 from Alyssa Fernandez. Christensen was next, dazzling with a 9.900 before Randolph followed with a 9.875. Cacciola (9.875) and Taylor Gull (9.850) rounded out the rotation with solid routines.
Final rotation – balance beam
The T-birds moved to the final rotation with a slight lead, with Randolph leading off with a 9.800. Christensen notched a 9.850 next, before Elliot Bringhurst recorded a 9.725. Things then took a rough turn for Southern Utah, as falls from Cacciola (9.325) and Rylee Miller (9.100) put the road team behind. Ferguson responded with a 9.800, but the late mistakes ultimately cost the Flippin’ Birds in a 196.775-196.125 loss.
“We had that meet, we just didn’t finish it out. Two of our best beamers fell, and that was the difference,” SUU head coach Scotty Bauman said.
Up next
The Flippin’ Birds now prepare for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship meet on Saturday, March 22 in Anchorage, Alaska.
SUU will look to win its third straight conference title at 3 p.m. MT against UC Davis, Alaska-Anchorage, and Sacramento State. MT and can be streamed on Overnght.
