Gymnasts Return Home for Tough Competition

PROVO -- Coming off a season-best 194.925, the BYU gymnastics team returns home Wednesday to face Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) in the Smith Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.

"We're improving each meet," said BYU head coach Brad Cattermole. "If we perform like we did in Oregon we will be in good shape."

Wednesday's meet will be unique, as the BYU gymnasts will be wearing pink leotards in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Fans who wear pink will receive free admission. This is only the second home meet for BYU this season, but the Cougars will be home for the next three meets.

"It is fun to travel, but it definitely wears on you," Cattermole said. "This time home will allow us to recuperate."

Last Friday, BYU went head-to-head with No. 8 Oregon State and fell to the Beavers 194.925-197.150. Though the Cougars came up short they are please with the gymnasts performance.

The strongest event last week was floor as the Cougars posted 48.950. On beam Cougars were also solid with their 48.700 score, a season-best for the beam squad. Six gymnasts posted season-high marks on more than one event, three of which surpassed career-high scores. Senior Alethea Boon helped catapult the BYU squad into its season-high scoring landing a remarkable 39.100 in the all-around. Junior Hayley Jensen topped the Cougars with the highest mark of the night as she landed a 9.850 on floor exercises.

Though BYU enjoyed high marks from the last meet, the Cougars are focused on their upcoming competition. They are looking to improve their 193.425 average and 3-5 record.

"SEMO is having a good season, and they will be tough to beat," said Cattermole.

This will be the only time the Cougars will compete against SEMO. The Redhawks' assistant coach, Brogan Jacobsen-Evanson, is a former BYU gymnast. She is one of four athletes at BYU to score a perfect 10.00. The Redhawks are currently 3-3 this season and average 193.440 overall.

Fans who are unable to watch the action live can follow the meet using Live Stats found at http://www.byucougars.com/webcast/gymnastics/20080227/.