WEST VALLEY, Utah – Taking on Utah, BYU, and Utah State at the annual Best of Utah meet on Monday night, the SUU gymnastics team totaled a 195.675 score to finish fourth in a tightly contested battle.
First rotation – bars
Southern Utah began the quad meet on the uneven bars, recording a 48.900 score. Niya Randolph got things started with a 9.775, which Mia Hampton then followed with a 9.750. Following a fall from Trista Goodman (9.225), Maria Ferguson compiled a 9.800 before Alex Routsis dazzled with a 9.875. Kendall McGuire rounded out the event with a 9.700.
Second rotation – beam
The Thunderbirds moved to the balance beam next, totaling a 48.750 score. Randolph began with a 9.825 before Mia Hampton recorded a 9.750. Rylee Miller followed with a team-best 9.850, and after a fall from Elliot Bringhurst (9.100), Ferguson (9.725), and Marisa de Groot (9.600) rounded out the rotation for the T-birds.
Third rotation – floor
SUU moved to the floor next, notching a 48.975 score. Hampton (9.825) and Alyssa Fernandez (9.750) began with solid scores, to which Sage Paladino added a 9.675. Berlin Hall then added a 9.875 score before Randolph (9.700), and Caralia Martinez (9.825) rounded out the rotation heading into the final event.
Final rotation – vault
Southern Utah ended the night on the vault, scoring a 49.050. Hampton (9.825) and Bringhurst (9.800) started with strong performances, which Randolph and Kayla Pardue answered with scores of 9.825 and 9.850, respectively. Mackenzie Kelly (9.750) and Hall (9.725) finished off the competition as the T-birds posted a strong 195.675 score in their second meet in just four days.
Up next
The Flippin’ Birds travel north to Cache Valley to battle Utah State on Saturday, January 17.
The meet is slated for a 12 p.m. MT start.
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics.
