Gophers come out on top against Cougars in dual meet

MINNEAPOLIS — After tying the score at the end of the third rotation, BYU gymnastics fell to Minnesota 196.050 to 195.000 Saturday afternoon at the Sports Pavilion.

“We had a fall in the middle of the bars rotation, and the rest of the lineup stepped up and delivered for us,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “We’ve got to get better as a team in the meet when it counts.”

In their highest event score of the meet, the Cougars posted a 48.950 on uneven bars. Team captain Brittni Hawes shared the bars event title with a 9.875. Shannon Hortman scored a 9.850, followed by a 9.800 from Jessie Westergard. The Gophers finished the rotation in first with a score of 49.125 to the Cougars’ 48.950.

"Brittni and Jessie anchored the bars team; they did a good job preparing and didn't let things rattle them," Young said.

BYU moved to vault for the second rotation, recording a 48.900. Hortman tied her career high of 9.850 while Mackenzie Douglas scored a 9.825. Angel Zhong added a 9.775 as well. Minnesota maintained its lead, 98.050 to 97.850.

On floor, the Cougars earned a 48.800 to even the score 146.650 to 146.650 before the final rotation. Douglas recorded a team-high score of 9.825. Floor specialist Kyleigh Greenlief posted a 9.800 competing in her second-consecutive meet and Briana Pearson contributed a 9.750.

"Another shout-out to Kyleigh, who is a walk-on junior," Young said. "She has struggled with consistency on floor and she’s figured it out the past couple of meets."

In the fourth and final rotation, BYU recorded a 48.350 on beam. Jill van Mierlo led the team with a 9.875 and shared the beam event title. Hortman and Natasha Trejo added a pair of 9.825s for the Cougars. The Gophers scored a 49.400 on floor, breaking the tie and taking home a victory, 196.050 to 195.000.

BYU returns home for the first of two final home meets with a matchup against No. 23 Arizona on Friday, March 10, at 7 p.m. MST in the Smith Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on BYUtv and live stats will be available.