Four Gymnasts Compete in Second Round of NCAA Regionals

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — BYU gymnasts Anyssa Alvarado, Elease Rollins, Kylie Eaquinto and Sydney Benson competed as individual specialists in the second round of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional competition on Thursday evening at Pauley Pavilion.

FINAL BOOK

Although BYU fell to Boise State 196.700-196.125 in yesterday’s first round of regionals, Alvarado, Eaquinto, Benson and Rollins each qualified in their individual events. 

Alvarado competed on the uneven bars in the first rotation. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. native unfortunately had a fall on the apparatus, tallying a score of 9.325 to finish her senior season and NCAA regional run. Alvarado has competed on bars in every meet her senior season, receiving a career-high score of 9.925 against Boise State in January.

In the second rotation, BYU had Eaquinto on the vault. The Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Freshman of the Year tallied a 9.800 to close out her season. Competing on vault in every meet as a freshman, Eaquinto has not received a score lower than a 9.800.  

BYU had two gymnasts compete in the final rotation of the night, with Rollins on the balance beam and Benson on the vault. 

Tying her career high, Benson scored a 9.900 on the vault in the final meet of her sophomore season. The Riverton, Utah native has earned a 9.900 at two other meets earlier this year.

Rollins mounted the beam for the final time this year as the 2022 Balance Beam All-American earned a 9.800 on the apparatus. The 2023 MRGC Beam Specialist of the Year tallied scores above a 9.900 in nine meets her senior season for the Cougars.

Out of the four teams competing in tonight’s meet, No. 4 UCLA and No. 14 Missouri earned the highest scores and will advance to Saturday’s regional final as they take on No. 5 Utah and No. 27 Washington.