SALT LAKE CITY — BYU gymnastics fell to No. 5 Utah 197.000 to 194.275 in the Deseret First Duel Friday night at the Huntsman Center.

“We came up here to a great environment with great gymnastics fans,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “With a national-caliber team like Utah, you can't have any mistakes.”

To begin the meet, the Cougars posted a 47.900 on uneven bars, led by a 9.800 from sophomore Shannon Hortman Evans. Captain Brittni Hawes added a 9.750 while Natasha Trejo Marsh recorded a 9.675. Two falls on the event proved costly as the team fell behind the Utes, 49.325 to 47.900.

BYU moved to vault for the second rotation, earning a 48.775 behind captain Mackenzie Douglas’ 9.800. Evans, Avery Bennett and captain Jill van Mierlo each scored a 9.750 while Angel Zhong contributed a 9.725. Utah extended its lead, 98.650 to 96.675.

In their highest event score of the meet, the Cougars posted a 48.900 on floor. Captain and floor specialist Kyleigh Greenlief led BYU with a 9.825, followed by a 9.800 from Evans and a 9.775 from Douglas. The Utes maintained their lead, 147.625 to 145.575.

In the fourth and final rotation, van Mierlo anchored the Cougars on beam with a 9.800 in the team’s final routine. Hannah Miller and Marsh both added scores of 9.775. Abby Boden also recorded a 9.725 on the event. Utah posted its highest event in the final rotation with a 49.375 on floor, taking home the victory 197.000 to 194.275.

BYU at Utah Signed Results

BYU returns to Provo for its home season opener against California on Friday at 7 p.m. MST in the Smith Fieldhouse. The Bears’ associate head coach, Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, is a former BYU gymnast and two-time first-team All-American on the uneven bars. Her contributions helped the Cougars qualify for three NCAA Championships from 1994-96 after she qualified on the individual level in 1993. Additionally, Crandall-Howell was the NCAA Regional uneven bars champion three of her four years at BYU.

PROVO, Utah – BYU gymnastics opens its season against rival No. 5 Utah in the Deseret First Duel on Friday at the Huntsman Center.

"We’re prepared as a team. Now it’s time to do it for real,” head coach Guard Young said. “We know how to warm up, we know how to hit routines and we just have to do it on that night.”

The Cougars enter the 2018 season after a fifth-place finish at NCAA regionals last year, earning the team’s highest regional score in 12 years and a No. 33 national ranking. 

“I always base a meet on performance,” Young said. “We want to come out of the gate with a strong, confident bar routine that gets everyone fired up. We end the meet on balance beam, so we want to see the girls staying calm under pressure, taking their time and not rushing through their routine. That’s what we’ve worked on all semester and what I expect to see on Friday.”

This season’s roster includes 15 returning gymnasts and nine true freshmen. The core senior class and team captains, Jill van Mierlo, Brittni Hawes, Kyleigh Greenlief and Mackenzie Douglas, will set the foundation for performances from the team. Shannon Hortman Evans will continue competing as an all-arounder after earning 2017 MRGC Freshman of the Year. Young also has high hopes for the freshman class becoming strong contributors this season.

The meet begins at 7 p.m. MST at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. It will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks and live stats will be available at UtahUtes.com. For more information on the season outlook, check out the 2018 season preview.