No. 21 BYU heads to Southern Utah

PROVO, Utah — No. 21 BYU heads to Cedar City, Utah this Friday to compete against Southern Utah University for the second time this season.

“Southern Utah is a great in-conference team with a lot of talent,” head coach Guard Young said. “We start on bars and end on beam, so it will be a good mental challenge for our girls to set up that strong start and, more importantly, have that better finish.”

Last week, the Cougars set a season-high score on vault of 48.975, with freshman Avery Bennett setting a career-high 9.875 and Jill van Mierlo matching her personal record of 9.825. Kyleigh Greenlief received a season-high score of 9.850 on floor. BYU also set records on bars, with freshman Haley Pitou posting a career-high of 9.875 and Brittni Hawes earning MRGC Bars Specialist of the Week after receiving a season-high 9.925 on her routine.

This will be the third away meet for BYU. Although the Cougars have struggled in the last two meets away from home, Young has high hopes for this weekend and looking forward to the rest of the season.

“We have conference at SUU at the end of the season,” Young said. “This is a great opportunity for our girls to be under those lights and in that environment to also get mentally ready for that event.”

The Thunderbirds earned their first win of the year with a season-high score last weekend against Central Michigan 195.825 to 195.675. Sophomore Autumn Jorgensen was named one of four Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Beam Specialists of the Week following her 9.875 against the Chippewas.

The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Centrum Arena in Cedar City, Utah. Live streaming and live stats will both be available.