TEMPE, Ariz. – Wrapping up the 2026 season at the NCAA Regionals on Thursday, the Southern Utah gymnastics team totaled a score of 195.725 to finish in fourth place.
Georgia (197.125) and Michigan State (197.350) finished in the top two spots to move on to the next round, while BYU finished its season with a score of 196.250.
Niya Randolph shone bright on the big stage for the Flippin’ Birds, recording an all-around score of 39.525 for a second-place finish.
Coach Bauman’s post-meet interview
First rotation – floor
The Thunderbirds began the afternoon on the floor, earning a score of 49.225. Mia Hampton led off with a 9.775, which was followed by a 9.725 from Rylee Miller. Sage Paladino then scored a 9.800 before Berlin Hall notched a score of 9.850. Randolph was next with a 9.900, which Carilia Martinez matched to send SUU to the second rotation.
Second rotation – vault
Vault was next up for the T-birds, where they earned a 48.450 score. Mackenzie Kelly started with a 9.800, which Elliot Bringhurst then matched. A fall from Kayla Pardue (9.225) was followed by a strong 9.850 from Randolph, before Paladino earned a 9.750. Vinciane Le Pen (9.150) then finished off the rotation.
Third rotation – bars
Southern Utah moved to bars for the third rotation, compiling a 48.925 score. Alex Routsis began with a 9.650, before Hampton earned a 9.700. Ariel Collum stepped in and scored a 9.775, which Randolph followed with a 9.900. Miller (9.750) and Kendall McGuire (9.800) rounded out the rotation.
Final rotation – beam
The Flippin’ Birds ended the meet on beam, totaling a score of 49.125. Randolph led off with a 9.850, which Hampton followed with a 9.825. Emma Nipper then earned a 9.825 before Miller added a 9.800. After a fall from Bringhurst (8.950), Fernandez capped the meet with a score of 9.825.
In the end, the Thunderbirds earned a team score of 195.725 to put the finishing touches on the 2026 season.
Another season in the books
Thursday’s meet put a bow on the 2026 SUU gymnastics season, as the Flippin’ Birds finished a strong campaign.
Southern Utah once again qualified for NCAA Regionals, punching its ticket for the 13th straight season and 21st time overall in program history.
SUU also took home the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship, its third straight MPSF title and fourth consecutive overall conference title. All time, the Thunderbirds have claimed six conference championships.
Southern Utah now looks ahead to 2027, as they gear up for its first season in the Pac-12 Conference.
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics.
