BYU selected to tie for third in MRGC Coaches’ Poll

LOGAN, Utah – BYU gymnastics was picked to finish tied for third in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Defending MRGC champion Boise State has been selected first in the preseason poll. The Broncos garnered two first-place votes and were followed by Southern Utah in second, while Brigham Young and Utah State tied for third. Southern Utah and BYU earned the other two first-place votes.

The Cougars return the reigning MRGC Freshman of the Year in sophomore Jill Van Mierlo and senior Makenzie Johnson Halliday, a first-team all-MRGC selection in the all-around and on the beam last season. The team will be under the direction of first-year head coach Guard Young, joining BYU after having coached Oklahoma men’s gymnastics from 2000-05 and from 2011-15 as an assistant.

Boise State captured the MRGC title last season at the championships in Denver and returns five all-conference honorees, including senior Krystine Jacobsen, the 2015 MRGC uneven bars champion. The Broncos enter the year ranked No. 19, the highest ranking of any team in the MRGC this season.

Southern Utah also returns five all-conference honorees and appears in the national preseason polls at No. 24. Utah State returns four all-conference honorees and is the third conference team to appear in the national preseason poll coming in at No. 34.

The 2016 Mountain Rim Gymnastics Championships will be hosted by Boise State and will be held in the Taco Bell Arena on Saturday March 19. 

BYU hits the road this week to take on No. 21 Central Michigan Friday at 7 p.m. EST. The first home meet will take place on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. MST as a tri-meet against UC Davis and Boise State at the Smith Fieldhouse. 

2016 Mountain Rim Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Boise State 8 (2)

2. Southern Utah 6 (1)

3. BYU 5 (1)

4. Utah State 5