Cougars Compete in Marriott Center Again

PROVO -- After a tough weekend with two meets in three days, the No. 15 BYU women's gymnastics team returns home for its final home meet of the season. The Cougars will compete against Southern Utah Friday at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

In BYU's meet at Southern Utah earlier this season, the Cougars had no problem winning the meet, 195.625-191.900. All-American Kelly Evanson led the Cougars in the meet by winning the all-around with a score of 39.300.

This meet will most likely be completely different, as the Thunderbirds have scored more than 195 in their last two meets. BYU is hoping to really put on a great show in its last home meet.

"It's a meet where we want to do well," BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. "We haven't really had a meet where we've hit everything and it would be fun to do it in the last home meet."

The Cougars are coming off a tough loss against Boise State Monday night. The Cougars were unable to overcome some falls and competing two times in three days and scored a disappointing 194.800.

Freshman Jaime Mabray was one of BYU's highlights in the loss at Boise State. Mabray, who struggled against Missouri on beam and bars, scored a career-high 39.350 in the all-around.

Another highlight was the Cougars' performance on vault. For the second meet in a row, BYU really hit on vault. BYU scored a 49.100, the second highest score on vault in BYU history. Against Missouri, the Cougars pulled off a 49.025 in vault to start off the meet.

BYU competed against Missouri Saturday night and won the meet, 195.400-193.650. Sophomore Kari Dye scored a career high in the all-around with a 39.375 to join Evanson in leading the Cougars.

Following the home meet against Southern Utah, BYU will only have one more regular season meet. BYU will compete against Utah for the second time this season, this time at the Huntsman Center Mar. 23.

"These last two meets are important," Cattermole said. "If you hit them, it sets yourself up well for Regionals."

BYU is now ranked No. 4 in the North Central region. The scoring of the final two meets will be important for confidence going into the NCAA Regional meet, and the Cougars know they have the potential to score well.

"We have the potential to be great," Cattermole said. "We just haven't lived up to it yet."

BYU is hoping to reverse its fortunes from last season. In the 2001 season, the Cougars broke several team records on the way to a fantastic regular season, but came up short at Regionals. This season, the Cougars haven't broke any team records so far, but hope to make up for that with success at Regionals.

"With good scores at these next two meets, we could move into the top 12 nationally, and that's what we want," Cattermole said. "People are hurting and a little sore, but I think we'll be alright for the next couple of meets and the rest of the season."

Individually, Evanson is currently ranked No. 12 in the national GymInfo rankings. Evanson has nailed her beam routine lately, giving her the potential to score high in any meet.

Friday's meet will be televised by KBYU live on BYU-TV. The meet will be rebroadcast on KBYU (Channel 11) at 11 p.m. the night of the meet.