PROVO, Utah – The BYU gymnastic team recorded its highest score in a season-opener but ultimately fell to No. 3 Utah, 197.250 to 196.475, Friday night at the Marriott Center.
I said on paper that we were going to get a 196, so to go 196.4 is even better," BYU head coach Guard Young said. "They were ready. We went toe-for-toe and we needed a crack, but they didn’t give us one.”
The Cougars posted their highest season-opener score ever and the program's fourth highest total in team history against in-state rival Utah. Utah's All-American MyKayla Skinner took home the all-around title with a 39.600, while fellow All-American Shannon Evans posted the highest score for BYU tallying a 39.400.
During the first rotation three BYU gymnasts posted a 9.825 on vault, including Evans, Avery Bennett and Rebekah Bean. The Cougars ended its vault rotation only .100 behind Utah with a score of 49.050.
BYU moved to the uneven bars for the second event, putting up a 49.075. Evans led the team with a 9.875, tying Skinner for the top score on the event. After the second rotation, the Utes maintained their lead at 98.650 while BYU followed with a 98.125.
In their highest scoring event of the night, the Cougars tied for the No. 5 beam score in BYU gymnastics history with a 49.325. Miner and Marsh took the highest scores on the event, both posting career highs with a 9.900. As Skinner recorded a 9.950 on the floor, the Utes went into the final rotation ahead 148.050 to BYU’s 147.450.
For the final event of the night, Evans recorded a 9.900 on the floor. Miner earned a 9.825 as the Cougars scored a 49.025. Utah, however, was strong on beam with a 49.325 to claim the victory by the final score of 197.250 to 196.475
BYU now travels to face in-state rival Utah State on Friday, Jan. 18. The meet begins at 7 p.m. MST at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah.