Cougars Pounce on Broncos

PROVO -- The BYU gymnastics team clawed into Boise State, winning 196.725-194.175, in the Smith Fieldhouse Thursday night.

"I've said before that they don't know how good they can be," said BYU coach Brad Cattermole. "I'm still not convinced they know their potential."

Recording a new season high, the Cougars dominated the competition sweeping every event. Trisha Ashton was named Cougar of the Meet.

Kari Lords took first place in the all-around, scoring a personal best of 39.525 with teammate Jaime Mabray taking second (39.500).

"We know we can do it; we do it a million times a day in practice," Mabray said. "We just have to relax and believe in ourselves."

On vault, Marie-Helene Claveau took first place (9.925), with Mabray in second (9.900) and Ashton in third (9.875).

Lords scored a personal best of 9.925 on bars; Mabray took second with a personal best of 9.850. Also scoring a personal best of 9.825 was Genevieve Claveau, tied for fourth

with Kacie Capra. The Cougars had to count a fall, but still scored a season-high 49.175.

"I'm not pleased with the fall, but the rest of the meet overshadowed it," Cattermole said. "You can't take anything away from the girls. They just stepped up and fought for it."

Lords took first on the beam (9.975) with Ashton in second place. Lisa Willis scored a personal best, tying for fifth place with Mabray at 9.825.

"I was pleased with floor," Cattermole said. "They just performed."

BYU controlled the floor exercise, taking the top six scores of the event. Mabray took first place (9.925), and personal bests were awarded to Ashton (9.900) and Capra (9.825).

"This is meet No. 6 and we've got seven more to go," Cattermole said. "I'm pleased with the effort the girls are putting in, but we've still got work to do."

Now standing 5-3, the Cougars will next challenge No. 10 Missouri Monday at 8:30 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse.