Van Mierlo, Johnson help BYU to season high in loss to Utah State

PROVO, Utah – Despite outstanding performances by freshman Jill Van Mierlo and junior Makenzie Johnson and a season-high team score, BYU gymnastics fell to Utah State 195.500 to 195.300 Friday evening at the Smith Fieldhouse.

Van Mierlo placed second in the all around with a score of 39.225 while Johnson was third overall with a 39.150. The Cougars’ team score surpassed the previous team best of 193.350 that was achieved in the first meet of the season and also recorded team season-highs in all four events. 

“Three events we did really well,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “We stayed on beam, but we were just a little too wobbly. We just need to calm down a little and get it together on beam. I think we can do much better than we’re doing, but the other events I was pleased with.  I felt like a 195.3 is not a half bad score this time of year.”

After the first rotation BYU led 49.050 to Utah State’s 48.575. Johnson scored 9.850 on the vault while senior Kaycee Gassaway and junior Eliane Kulczyk both registered season highs with 9.775 and 9.825, respectively. Van Mierlo had a career high 9.825.

The Cougars then took their turn at the uneven bars, maintaining a lead over the Aggies 97.900 to 97.425.  Kulczyk turned in a solid routine with a meet-high 9.850 while Johnson held her own, matching a season high with 9.825.

On the beam, BYU upped its score to 146.075 while Utah State used a strong showing in the floor to increase its score to 146.225 for the lead. Senior Jordan Schult recorded a career high on the balance beam with a 9.625. Van Mierlo came through with another career best with 9.800 to pace the home team.

With the final event, the Cougars made a push in the floor routine, putting up a season-high 49.225, but the Aggies sealed the match with a season-high 49.275 on the beam. Gassaway and Johnson led all gymnasts in the floor routine with season-high scores of 9.875.

BYU resumes competition in a dual meet against Southern Utah next Friday at 7 p.m. MST.