BYU Women's Gymnastics Team Defeats Iowa State In Dual Meet

AMES -- Led by a strong effort by the balance beam team, the BYU women's gymnastics team defeated Iowa State 194.175 to 193.975 in a dual meet at Iowa State Friday.

The Cougars had an impressive performance on the balance beam hitting all six routines for a score of 48.600. BYU was led on the beam by senior Denice Pauga with a 9.850.

"I am extremely proud of the beam team for reaching deep and pulling this meet out for us," BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. "They really stepped up and stuck all six routines."

Iowa State led after two rotations, 97.950 to 96.525, but with the strong showing on beam and a 49.050 score on the floor exercise, the Cougars pulled off the victory.

Iowa State's Betsy Hamm won the all-around with a score of 39.225. Kelly Parkinson was second in the all-around with a 39.175 score and Pauga finished with 39.050.

Parkinson led the Cougars on vault and on the floor, scoring 9.850 and 9.875, respectively. Pauga led the Cougars on the uneven bars as well as the beam.

The Cougars will next compete at Utah Feb. 4 in Salt Lake City.