Gymnasts defeat Arizona with second-highest score of the season

PROVO, Utah – With its second-highest overall score this season, BYU gymnastics defeated Arizona for the first time in 10 years, 196.350 to 195.525, Friday night at the Smith Fieldhouse.

“This is what we train for and I expect this type of meet,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “I’m super happy with how this team pulled together after rough patches and combined individual efforts for the team win.”

After evening the score at the end of the first rotation, BYU pulled ahead in the following three events to take the victory. The team's overall score of 196.350 is second only to the season-high total of 196.425. The Cougars earned a season-high 49.050 on vault and tied or set eight career highs and two season highs.

The Cougars and Wildcats ended the first rotation tied at 49.050 after BYU posted its season-high team score on the vault. Shannon Hortman and Lauren Love achieved new career-best scores on the event, with Hortman raising hers from 9.850 to 9.875, and Love increasing her personal best from 9.750 to 9.775. Jill van Mierlo recorded a season-high of 9.800 and Cheyenne Hill matched her career-high score of 9.825.

During the second rotation on the bars, van Mierlo and Hortman tied their career-high records of 9.900 and 9.875, respectively. Douglas added a 9.825 to the team total of 49.150 during the event as BYU maintained its lead 98.200 to 97.825.

“I was proud of Jill and her impressive performance on the bars and receiving a career-high score,” Young said.

On the balance beam, the Cougars earned a 49.025. Van Mierlo led the team and tied her season-high score of 9.900 while Hill tied a career-high of 9.800, giving BYU a 147.225 to 146.875 advantage.

Briana Pearson posted a event-best score of 9.875 on the floor while also creating a new career high. Mackenzie Douglas and Kyleigh Greenlief followed with scores of 9.850. The Cougars earned a 49.125 in the final rotation to seal the victory over Arizona, 196.350 to 195.525.

“It was fantastic to see freshman Briana take first place on floor," Young said. "She keeps getting better and better. She is so consistent both in the gym and in meets.”

Overall, BYU won individual titles on the vault (Hortman, 9.875), bars (van Mierlo, 9.900) and floor (Pearson, 9.875). 

The Cougars compete in their final home meet of the season against Southern Utah on Monday at 5:30 p.m. MDT in the Smith Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on BYUtv and live stats will be available.