Feb 18 | 07:00 PM
1st - 195.100
Brigham Young University
2nd - 195.025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Anonymous | Posted: 18 Feb 2011 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Anonymous

BYU Gymnastics Victorious Over Arkansas on the Road

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FAYETTEVILLE -- The No. 28-ranked BYU women’s gymnastics team upset the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks, 195.100-195.025, on Friday. With the victory the Cougars are now 10-2-2. The Razorbacks won every event title but BYU’s steady consistent performances on each event added up to equal victory for the Cougars.

“Arkansas is a very good team, they just had a bad night on beam,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “Our thing is we’re doing a really good job of not paying attention to who we’re competing against. We’re just doing our best on each event and adding up the score at the end of the night so I’m proud of the way we have competed so far this season.”

BYU began the meet on the Uneven Bars. Leading off for the Cougars was Sarah Yandow who stuck her landing to score a 9.750. Next up for BYU was Raquel Willman, a freshman competing on three events for the Cougars. Willman recorded her second highest score of the season with a 9.800. Jennifer Lezeu came next tying her personal career-high with a 9.800. Haylee Rollins and Natalie Eyre anchored the Cougars with scores of 9.775 and 9.750, respectively.

BYU finished the event with a team score of 48.875. However, the Razorbacks also posted an impressive team score of 48.950 to take a .075 lead over BYU after one rotation. Arkansas was led by All-American Jaime Pisani with a 9.875.

While the Cougars' dismounts were near perfect on bars, landings were costly for BYU on vault. The first three vaults for the Cougars were unable to be scored higher than a 9.675. Mickell Merrell received a 9.725 to break the 9.7 barrier and reignite BYU.

Eyre received the Cougars highest score on the event receiving a season-high 9.825 after performing a near-perfect vault until a small step on the landing. Rollins finished the rotation for BYU receiving a 9.800 after another great vault with just a small step on the landing. After a shaky start, the Cougars finished the rotation with an event score of 48.675. Still, BYU trailed Arkansas 97.800-97.550 heading into their third rotation.

First on the floor for the Cougars was Megan Bain whose career-high 9.775 got BYU off to a strong start. Receiving a season-high 9.800 was senior team captain Jessica Villegas. Lezeu followed with a 9.800 of her own while Rollins wrapped up the floor line-up with a 9.775. BYU finished the third rotation with a season-high floor team score of 48.875 to take a 146.425-146.075 lead over the Razorbacks after Arkansas was forced to count a fall on beam.

Despite sticking the landing, several balance checks cost Madeleine Johnson as the senior received a 9.650 to start the Cougars off on beam. Bain was next for BYU receiving a 9.725. Eyre recorded the Cougars highest score on the event tying her season-high with a 9.800. Lezeu helped the BYU cause with 9.775 after her graceful beam routine that was near flawless with the exception of a hop on the landing. Koval rounded out the fourth rotation with a 9.725 securing the narrow victory for the Cougars.

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Anonymous | Posted: 16 Feb 2011 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Anonymous

Cougars to Take On Razorbacks in Arkansas

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PROVO -- The No. 28 BYU women’s gymnastics team (9-2-2) will travel to Arkansas this weekend to take on the No. 12 University of Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2) in Barnhill Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday.

“We hope to continue improving,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “We’re working hard on little things in workout and refining our routines. What I would like to see is those things come to fruition; I would like those little improvements we’ve been making to show up in the meet.”

The Cougars are coming off their strongest meet this season as they scored a season-high 195.200 at home against Texas Women’s last weekend. The junior trio of Jennifer Lezeu, Mickell Merrell and Natalie Eyre led the way for BYU, each scoring at least one 9.800. Lezeu posted the Cougars’ strongest score of the day with a 9.825 on floor exercise. BYU will need a strong performance on the floor again on Friday, as the floor exercise has been one of the Razorback’s greatest strengths this season.

The Cougars last faced Arkansas at NCAA Regionals last year where BYU finished in 6th place with a team score of 193.400. However, the Razorbacks recorded an impressive 196.675 to advance to the NCAA National Championships. Arkansas finished 5th of 6 teams at the NCAA National Championships with a 195.60.

Despite starting their season with two losses, the Razorbacks have posted scores of over 194.750 in every meet this season. Since those initial losses, Arkansas has won four-straight meets including impressive wins including victories over No. 4 Georgia and No. 19 LSU. The Cougars’ only two losses this season have come to Georgia and LSU.

Live stats and live video will be available through www.arkansasrazorbacks.com.