Hatch earns all-around on senior night in win over UW

PROVO, Utah – On senior night, Raquel Willman Hatch’s 39.350 earned the best all-around score to help lift BYU gymnastics over Washington Friday night.

The Cougars won with a score of 196.125 to Washington’s 194.300, with a Cougar scoring the highest in each of the four events. BYU’s score is its second best of the 2014 season. Seniors Jordan Hayden, Haylee Rollins and Hatch were recognized for their efforts as members of the BYU team.

“It’s a great group of seniors. It’s a great team to begin with and it's just a great group of kids,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “Our seniors are the cream of the crop. Raquel has done wonderful since the day she got here. Haylee has been hurt, but when she was healthy she was the star of the show. Jordan walked on, did four years as a walkon and every year made the team.”

Both Hayden and Hatch were able to improve one of their season-best scores. In her first competition since February 15, Eliane Kulczyk had an outstanding performance, including a score of 9.900 on the floor, her season and career best.

BYU started the competition on the vault where three gymnasts earned the event’s highest score of 9.850, including KayCee Gassaway, Makenzie Johnson and Kulczyk. The Cougars totaled 49.050 on the vault compared to Washington’s 48.800.

On the uneven bars, Kulczyk tied her season and career high of 9.850. Hatch was the leading scorer with a 9.925, the second highest of her career. The Cougars led the Huskies on the bars with 49.050-48.750.

Hatch improved her season-high score on the balance beam with a 9.850. Teammates Megan Bain Tidwell and Johnson tied their season highs, Tidwell also with the 9.850 and Johnson with a 9.825. The Cougars scored their second highest team total on the beam this season with a 48.950.

To conclude the meet, the Cougars finished on the floor routine. Hayden improved her season-best score on the floor with a 9.725. Johnson and Hatch were the second leading scores on the floor, each with a score of 9.825. The Cougars scored a total 49.075 on the floor.

The Cougars head to Tucscon, Ariz., to participate in a quad-meet against Arizona, Texas Woman’s and Bridgeport on March 15 at 4 p.m.