Cougar Gymnasts Top Thunderbirds

CEDAR CITY -- After falling to Southern Utah University two weeks ago, the Cougars conquered the Thunderbirds 196.050-195.475 in Cedar City Monday night.

For the third meet in a row, the Cougar gymnasts made school history by breaking BYU's team vault record. Friday night the Cougars scored a 49.375 to break the record against Missouri, and this week they topped that score with a 49.400.

Sophomore Kirsten Pauga placed first on the vault with a career-high 9.950. Teammate Trisha Ashton came in second with a 9.925, which ties her career best. SUU's Molloy Bauer took third with a 9.900.

The Cougars competed well on the bars, although BYU's head coach Brad Cattermole felt that the girls were a little bit hesitant.

"I am happy with how the girls did on the bars," he said. "I feel that we were somewhat more cautious than we needed to be."

Although Brogan Jacobsen tied her career-best score on the bars with a 9.825, SUU swept the event. Carly Geronimo, Jessiann Andrus and Talayna Fortuanato all tied for first place with a 9.850.

The Cougars started out unsteadily on the bars. After two fall in the first three routines, the remaining Cougars stepped up to keep BYU in the running. Ashton took first on the beam with a 9.900, while three SUU competitors tied for second place.

"I would have been happier without the falls on beam," Cattermole said. "I am happy with the effort though."

Jamie Mabray and Candace Slater tied for first place on the floor exercise with a score of 9.925. The score ties both gymnasts' career bests. SUU's Sandi Lyman and Cayce Overstreet tied for third with a 9.900.

Mabray took first in the all-around with a 39.325. SUU's Talayna Fortunato took second with a 39.275, and BYU's Lindsay Butterfield placed third with a 39.175.

"Overall I am pleased," Cattermole said. "Our score in the 196's will certainly help our regional qualifying score."

Team ResultsBYU 196.050
SUU 195.475
Individual Event Results
Vault (BYU 49.400; SUU 48.850)
1. Kirsten Pauga (BYU) 9.950
2. Trisha Ashton (BYU) 9.925
3. Molly Bauer (SUU) 9.900
Other BYU Scores
Lindsay Butterfield 9.850
Jamie Mabray 9.850
Megan Pessoa 9.825
Meghan Donahue 9.775
Bars (BYU 49.000; SUU 48.125)
1. (tie) Carly Geronimo (SUU), Jessiann Andrus (SUU) and Talayna Fortunato (SUU) 9.850
Other BYU Scores
Lisa Willis 9.775
Kirsten Pauga 9.775
Jamie Mabray 9.825
Lindsay Butterfield 9.800
Brogan Jacobsen 9.825
Kari Lords 9.300
Beam (BYU 48.825; SUU 19.125)
1. Trisha Ashton (BYU) 9.900
2. (tie) Carly Geronimo (SUU), Molly Bauer (SUU) and Talayna Fortunato (SUU) 9.850
Other BYU Scores
Lisa Willis 9.750
Meghan Donahue 9.250
Kirsten Pauga 9.200
Lindsay Butterfield 9.800
Jamie Mabray 9.725
Floor (BYU 49.225; SUU 49.375)
1. (tie) Jamie Mabray (BYU) and Candace Slater (BYU) 9.925
3. (tie) Sandi Lyman (SUU) and Cayce Overstreet (SUU) 9.900
Other BYU Scores
Lisa Willis 9.850
Brogan Jacobsen 9.800
Lindsay Butterfield 9.725
Kirsten Pauga 9.000