BYU Women's Gymnastics Defeats Utah State In Dual Meet

PROVO -- Led by an outstanding performance by senior Denice Pauga, the BYU women's gymnastics team defeated Utah State 195.600 to 194.250 in a dual meet Thursday at the Smith Fieldhouse.

Pauga, a senior from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, finished the night with a career-high all-around score of 39.325. BYU sophomore Kelly Parkinson finished the night with an all-around score of 39.275 to end the night just behind Pauga.

"I was happy with the mental attitude we showed," BYU coach Brad Cattermole said. "We did a lot of the little things that are important to doing well. After someone would fall or make a mistake, the next one up would get us back on track."

Another highlight of the night was in uneven bars where BYU senior Leah Niepraschk tied a school-record by scoring a 9.950. She scored a 9.950 last season at the Cat Classic in Missouri and is one of only four gymnasts in BYU history to score that high on the bars.

The Cougars will next face Southern Utah in a dual meet in Cedar City, Utah, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.

BYU: 195.600Utah State: 194.250
Vault: BYU 48.750, USU 48.600
1. Pauga (BYU), 9.800
   Parkinson (BYU), 9.800
3. Little (BYU), 9.775
   Hickman (BYU), 9.775
Bars: BYU 49.400, USU 49.125
1. Niepraschk (BYU), 9.950
2. Denson (USU), 9.900
3. Little (BYU), 9.875
   Parkinson (BYU), 9.875
   Pauga (BYU), 9.875
   Bloom (USU), 9.875
   Ellis (USU), 9.875
Beam: BYU 48.500, USU 48.225
1. Pauga (BYU), 9.900
2. Bloom (USU), 9.850
3. Parkinson (BYU), 9.825
   Degener (USU), 9.825
Floor: BYU 48.950, USU 48.300
1. M. Cosgrave (BYU), 9.875
2. Little (BYU), 9.850
3. Denson (USU), 9.825
All-Around:
1. Pauga (BYU), 39.325
2. Parkinson (BYU), 39.275
3. Denson (USU), 39.125
4. Bloom (USU), 38.975
5. Little (BYU), 38.900