WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — BYU women’s gymnastics notched a 195.175 to take home fourth in the Rio Tinto Best of Utah on Friday evening.

FINAL STATS

“I’m really proud of these girls for their performances tonight, especially my bar team” said head coach Guard Young. “Our floor team is just so much fun to watch, and you can tell they are gaining that confidence. I would love to see that same confidence translate over to the balance beam, so that is going to be our focus this week as we prepare for our first home meet.”

After an incredible night of gymnastics showcasing the talent across the state of Utah, the Utes came out on top, taking home the Best of Utah title for the fourth year in a row with a final score of 197.750. Utah notched the highest score on every event and the All-Around in tonight’s competition, including a perfect 10 on beam from Kara Eaker.

The Cougars started the night on vault. Senior Allix Mason and sophomore Sydeny Benson led the group with individual scores of 9.825. Freshman Kylie Eaquinto followed close behind with 9.800. 

Following the first rotation, BYU had a team score of 48.800 for fourth place. Utah led the competition with 49.375, followed by Utah State (49.025) and SUU (48.850). 

BYU found its rhythm on bars in the second rotation. Mason started off strong for the Cougars with a 9.825, followed by a solid routine from Anna Bramblett with a 9.850. For the second meet in a row, Anyssa Alvarado led the Cougars on bars with a 9.900 to close out the second rotation. 

Improving by .375, the Cougars totaled 49.175 on bars to keep them in fourth place. No. 6 Utah continued to shine in its events, leading the competition with a combined score of 98.725.

Freshman Madison Raesly-Patton made her collegiate debut in the third rotation with a 9.750 on beam. Beam captain Elease Rollins led the group with a score of 9.850, followed by Sophie Dudley who notched a 9.825 in her career debut on the apparatus.

At the conclusion of the third rotation, BYU had a team score of 146.175. As the Cougars prepared for their final event of the night, Utah was in first with 148.075, followed by Utah State (147.175) and SUU (147.025). 

Dudley started off strong with a 9.800 on floor in BYU’s final rotation. Rebekah Ripley closed out the competition with her Barbie routine, notching a 9.850. The Cougars ended the night with a final score of 195.175, taking home fourth place. SUU took second with a score of 196.175 and Utah State took third with 195.800.

The Cougars will host their first home meet of the season on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. MT in the Marriott Center. The meet will feature a Daddy/Daughter event.

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women’s gymnastics team prepares to compete in the fourth annual Rio Tinto Best of Utah gymnastics meet on Friday evening at the Maverik Center.

MEET NOTES

This meet marks the fourth of a multi-year partnership between Rio Tinto and the Maverik Center. The two are contracted to host this meet for a minimum of five seasons. This yearly meet brings together all four local universities: BYU, University of Utah, Utah State University and Southern Utah University. 

Featuring a raised podium floor, the meet will be televised live on BYUtv.

Meet Information

• When: Friday, Jan. 13
• Time: 7 p.m. MST 
• Location: Maverik Center
• Live Stream: BYUtv
• Stats: LiveStats

Tickets are still available to the public for the Best of Utah Gymnastics Meet on Friday, Jan. 13. Please use the link provided to access the ticketing page: Rio Tinto Best of Utah.

Last season, the University of Utah came out on top to defend its title with a solid score of 197.100. Utah State placed second at 195.875, followed by BYU with a final score of 195.225. Southern Utah finished in fourth at 195.000. 

The Cougars walked away with several accomplishments at last year’s competition. Former Cougar Brittany Vitkauskas ended the night tied for second on floor with a 9.875. Current sophomore Eliza Millar also tied for second on the balance beam in her BYU debut with a 9.875. The MVP award for the Cougars was shared by former seniors Abby Beeston and Haley Pitou. 

THE COUGARS. BYU started its 2023 season in Las Vegas at the Super16 held in the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Cougars took fourth after notching a final score of 193.775. After week 1, captain Anyssa Alvarado took home the MRGC Bars Specialist of the Week honor after achieving a 9.900 in her season debut. Fellow-captain Elease Rollins also earned an MRGC accolade for Beam Specialist of the Week after posting a 9.900 on the apparatus.  

THE THUNDERBIRDS. SUU started its 2023 season at the Super16 meet in Las Vegas, but competed in the Friday evening session. The Thunderbirds took home the win after posting a 195.800. On Monday, Jan. 9, SUU beat New Hampshire in its home opener after notching a final score of 196.100. After two wins in the first week of competition, SUU is ranked No. 22 nationally and earned four MRGC accolades.

THE RED ROCKS. No. 3 University of Utah began its 2023 season with a home win against No. 6 LSU after posting a 197.275. This proved to be Utah’s highest season-opening score since 2005. Against the three in-state opponents, Utah is a combined 223-5.

THE AGGIES. Utah State will open its 2023 season at the Best of Utah meet on Friday evening. The Aggies enter the season ranked No. 34 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association preseason poll after finishing the 2022 season ranked No. 23 nationally. Utah State returns 12 gymnasts from last year’s squad.