Eight career-high scores propel BYU past Boise State

PROVO, Utah — BYU gymnastics hosted Boise State on Saturday, overcoming the Broncos with a team score of 196.700 to 196.525, recording eight career-high scores in the meet.

FINAL SCORES

“Noon meets are always interesting because it is such an early start,” said head coach Guard Young. “We had some mistakes throughout the meet and what I love to see is these girls put their arms around each other. These girls are really tough and really supportive of one another, and as a coach that makes you really proud.”

The Cougars opened the meet on the vault, with senior Haley Pitou starting off with a 9.75. Sydney Benson posted a 9.825 to boost BYU’s score, and Sadie Miner-Van Tassel followed with a 9.85, the Cougars’ highest vault score of the meet. Boise State led 49.35 to 48.80 at the end of the first rotation.

Miner Van-Tassel started the second rotation with a score of 9.825 on the bars, and Allix Mason followed with a career-high score of 9.875. Haley Pitou finished the rotation with a career-high score of 9.925, and BYU earned a 49.20 compared to Boise State’s 49.00 in the second rotation.

Sophia McClelland and Miner-Van Tassel both earned scores of 9.875 on the beam. Elease Rollins scored a career-high 9.95 on the beam, and freshman Mina Margraf competed for the first time with the Cougars, scoring a 9.75. Lauren Ono also recorded a career-high on the beam, recording a 9.825. BYU earned a score of 49.3 in the third round, compared to Boise State’s 49.025.

Three career-high scores from the Cougars allowed BYU to pull ahead of Boise State and take the win. Abby Beeston started the rotation with a career-high 9.90, and Adeline Rieder scored a 9.875 for her own career-high. Miner Van-Tassel recorded a career-high of 9.925, and Brittney Vitkauskas finished the meet with a 9.90 on the floor.

BYU finished the meet with seven individual event career-highs, and Miner-Van Tassel recorded a career-high for all-around with a 39.475. Miner-Van Tassell has improved upon her All-Around score for the last three weeks.

“Sadie had such a rough year last year battling Covid and an ankle injury that sidelined her the whole season," said Young. "So for her to be the workhorse of the team and do all the events, every day in the gym, and be hitting personal bests is amazing. I could not be happier for her to end her career this way.”

Up next: the Cougars will face Boise State on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the ExtraMile Arena in Idaho. The meet will begin at 7 p.m. MST and will be streamed on the Mountain West Digital Network.