BYU vs. Utah Final Results

PROVO, Utah – The BYU gymnastic team recorded its highest score in a season-opener but ultimately fell to No. 3 Utah, 197.250 to 196.475, Friday night at the Marriott Center.

I said on paper that we were going to get a 196, so to go 196.4 is even better," BYU head coach Guard Young said. "They were ready. We went toe-for-toe and we needed a crack, but they didn’t give us one.”

The Cougars posted their highest season-opener score ever and the program's fourth highest total in team history against in-state rival Utah. Utah's All-American MyKayla Skinner took home the all-around title with a 39.600, while fellow All-American Shannon Evans posted the highest score for BYU tallying a 39.400.

During the first rotation three BYU gymnasts posted a 9.825 on vault, including Evans, Avery Bennett and Rebekah Bean. The Cougars ended its vault rotation only .100 behind Utah with a score of 49.050.

BYU moved to the uneven bars for the second event, putting up a 49.075. Evans led the team with a 9.875, tying Skinner for the top score on the event. After the second rotation, the Utes maintained their lead at 98.650 while BYU followed with a 98.125.  

In their highest scoring event of the night, the Cougars tied for the No. 5 beam score in BYU gymnastics history with a 49.325. Miner and Marsh took the highest scores on the event, both posting career highs with a 9.900.  As Skinner recorded a 9.950 on the floor, the Utes went into the final rotation ahead 148.050 to BYU’s 147.450.

For the final event of the night, Evans recorded a 9.900 on the floor. Miner earned a 9.825 as the Cougars scored a 49.025. Utah, however, was strong on beam with a 49.325 to claim the victory by the final score of 197.250 to 196.475

BYU now travels to face in-state rival Utah State on Friday, Jan. 18. The meet begins at 7 p.m. MST at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah.

PROVO, Utah – The BYU gymnastics team hosts No. 3 Utah on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. MST in the Marriott Center.

"Utah is a great team," BYU head coach Guard Young said. "They competed last weekend and put up a great score. We know that they are national contenders year end and year out.

"We came back right after Christmas and I couldn't be prouder of their preparation and hard work. They are ready physically, mentally and emotionally, so now it is time to go out and show everyone how hard they've worked."

Meet Information

• Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. MST, Marriott Center
• TV: BYUtv
• Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
• Tickets: Marriott Center ticket office at (801) 422-2981 or BYUTickets.com

THE COUGARS. BYU averaged a 196.010 score in 2018 to finish the season ranked No. 17, the highest national ranking in 13 years. Captain Shannon Evans will lead a young team after she was named an All-American in 2018 for her performance on bars at the NCAA National Championships. The Cougars have two seniors and have welcomed 11 freshmen. In the WCGA Preseason Poll BYU earned the 24th spot.

THE UTES. Utah hosted Penn State in its season opener and earned a win after scoring 197.175, the third-highest score in the country behind Oklahoma (198.050) and UCLA (197.250).  The score against Penn State was the highest score in an opening meet since 2005. MyKayla Skinner continues to lead Utah and is currently tied for first in the nation on bars and floor.