Cougars travel for fourth annual Best of Utah meet

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women’s gymnastics team prepares to compete in the fourth annual Rio Tinto Best of Utah gymnastics meet on Friday evening at the Maverik Center.

MEET NOTES

This meet marks the fourth of a multi-year partnership between Rio Tinto and the Maverik Center. The two are contracted to host this meet for a minimum of five seasons. This yearly meet brings together all four local universities: BYU, University of Utah, Utah State University and Southern Utah University.

Featuring a raised podium floor, the meet will be televised live on BYUtv.

Meet Information

When: Friday, Jan. 13
Time: 7 p.m. MST
Location: Maverik Center
Live Stream: BYUtv
Stats: LiveStats

Tickets are still available to the public for the Best of Utah Gymnastics Meet on Friday, Jan. 13. Please use the link provided to access the ticketing page: Rio Tinto Best of Utah.

Last season, the University of Utah came out on top to defend its title with a solid score of 197.100. Utah State placed second at 195.875, followed by BYU with a final score of 195.225. Southern Utah finished in fourth at 195.000.

The Cougars walked away with several accomplishments at last year’s competition. Former Cougar Brittany Vitkauskas ended the night tied for second on floor with a 9.875. Current sophomore Eliza Millar also tied for second on the balance beam in her BYU debut with a 9.875. The MVP award for the Cougars was shared by former seniors Abby Beeston and Haley Pitou.

THE COUGARS. BYU started its 2023 season in Las Vegas at the Super16 held in the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Cougars took fourth after notching a final score of 193.775. After week 1, captain Anyssa Alvarado took home the MRGC Bars Specialist of the Week honor after achieving a 9.900 in her season debut. Fellow-captain Elease Rollins also earned an MRGC accolade for Beam Specialist of the Week after posting a 9.900 on the apparatus.

THE THUNDERBIRDS. SUU started its 2023 season at the Super16 meet in Las Vegas, but competed in the Friday evening session. The Thunderbirds took home the win after posting a 195.800. On Monday, Jan. 9, SUU beat New Hampshire in its home opener after notching a final score of 196.100. After two wins in the first week of competition, SUU is ranked No. 22 nationally and earned four MRGC accolades.

THE RED ROCKS. No. 3 University of Utah began its 2023 season with a home win against No. 6 LSU after posting a 197.275. This proved to be Utah’s highest season-opening score since 2005. Against the three in-state opponents, Utah is a combined 223-5.

THE AGGIES. Utah State will open its 2023 season at the Best of Utah meet on Friday evening. The Aggies enter the season ranked No. 34 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association preseason poll after finishing the 2022 season ranked No. 23 nationally. Utah State returns 12 gymnasts from last year’s squad.