PROVO, Utah – The No. 14 BYU gymnastics team defeated No. 25 Southern Utah with an overall score of 196.550 on senior night at the Smith Fieldhouse.

BYU vs. SUU Final Results

“Honoring our seniors is always a special, special time,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “Our confidence is definitely high. We did have some mistakes, but the next girls picked it right up. I was really happy with our response when things didn’t go our way.”

All-American Shannon Evans scored a 39.475 to take first place in the all-around. The team captain set a career high on the vault with a score of 9.950 while also tying her personal-best 9.950 on her floor routine.

The Cougars opened up the meet on vault with Evans receiving a 9.950. Senior Cheyenne Hill broke her personal best on senior night with a score of 9.875. Abbey Miner also scored a 9.875 for BYU with Avery Bennett and Angel Zhong both earning a 9.800. Haley Pitou rounded out the first rotation with a 9.775 and the Cougars posted a total score of 49.300 to lead the Thunderbirds’ score of 49.075.

In the second rotation, Helody Cyrenne led BYU on the uneven bars with a score of 9.875. Abby Boden and Zhong scored 9.850 apiece while Pitou earned a 9.825 and Evans received a 9.800 to give the Cougars five gymnasts that scored 9.800 or better. Senior Natasha Marsh finished the rotation with a 9.600. BYU scored 49.200 to lead Southern Utah overall 98.500 to 98.025.

On beam, Abbey Miner received a team-high 9.850 and was followed by a season-high 9.825 from Hill. Evans earned a 9.775 and Zhong scored a 9.700. Boden and Marsh received scores of 9.650 and 8.450, respectively, with the Cougars totaling 48.800 points. At the end of three rotations, BYU continued its lead over Southern Utah 147.300 to 146.975.

Evans tied her career high on her floor routine earning a 9.950 from the judges. Abbey Miner scored a 9.900 and Sadie Miner received a 9.825. Brittney Vitkauskas earned a 9.800, Boden scored a 9.775 and Briana Pearson received a 9.100 to finish the final rotation with the Cougars receiving a total score of 49.250. BYU claimed the victory over Southern Utah 196.550 to 195.975.

BYU will host the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championships at 6 p.m. MDT in the Marriott Center on Friday, March 22. The meet will be televised on BYUtv and tickets can be purchased on the BYU gymnastics schedule page.

BYU Coach Guard Young on seniors Cheyenne Hill and Natasha Marsh
“I love their work ethic. I’m a worker. That’s how I was as a gymnast and that’s how I am as a coach. That’s what those girls do. They just work every day in the gym and that is the key to success. I’m going to really miss their leadership and work ethic a lot.”

PROVO, Utah – The No. 14 BYU gymnastics team travels to No. 21 Arizona State on Wednesday, Mar. 13, before hosting No. 25 Southern Utah on Friday, Mar. 15.

THE COUGARS. Shannon Evans scored a career-best 39.575 as she led BYU to a 197.000, the highest score the program has received since 2004. The Cougars are now 3-2 in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference as the Broncos currently hold the first spot with a 5-1 record. Helody Cyrenne was named Vault Specialist of the Week after scoring a career-high 9.925 on beam.

IN THE RANKINGS. BYU is climbing back up in the rankings with its highest rank of the season coming in at No. 6 for week two. The Cougars hold the No. 14 spot as they have an RQS score of 196.550 and are currently averaging a 196.106, with a 197.000 as the highest score received.

ASU Meet Information

• Who: Arizona State and West Virginia
• When: Wednesday, Mar. 13
• Time: 6:30 p.m. MST 
• Location: Wells Fargo Arena
• Video: PAC-12 Network
• Stats: StatBroadcast.com

THE GYM DEVILS. Arizona State is coming off of a third-place finish against Denver, Nebraska and Pittsburgh after scoring a 194.825. The Gym Devils highest score of the season came against No. 12 Oregon State in February with a score of 196.625. Their best event is bars as they have scored a 49.000 or higher in eight-straight meets.

THE MOUNTAINEERS. West Virginia is ranked No. 28 this week after taking second place against Ohio State and Temple. The Mountaineers received a 196.100, their second-highest score of the season. 

SUU Meet Information

• Who: Southern Utah
• When: Friday, Mar. 15
• Time: 7 p.m. MDT 
• Location: Smith Fieldhouse
• Video: BYUtv
• Stats: StatBroadcast.com

THE FLIPPIN' BIRDS. Southern Utah cracked the Top 25 this week after beating Utah State, 196.350-195.275 and falling short to No. 19 Washington, 196.000-196.200. The Flippin' Birds' highest score of the season was a 196.575 against Temple. In February, Southern Utah topped BYU 196.000-195.650.