LEXINGTON, Ky. — The BYU gymnastics team scored a season-high balance beam score and posted a season-high final score in a loss at Kentucky, 197.775-196.600.
The Cougars scored a season-high 49.325 on the balance beam in the final rotation of the evening, with two scores of 9.875 and a 9.925.
Senior Allix Mason earned scores above a 9.800 on all three events she competed on tonight. Anyssa Alvarado led the Cougars on bars with a 9.925, while Elease Rollins earned a new season-high score of 9.925 on the balance beam.
The BYU bars swingers started the meet off strong in the first rotation, posting a 49.200. Senior Anyssa Alvarado led with a 9.925. Kylie Eaquinto posted a 9.875, with Lindsey Hunter-Kempler earning a 9.850 and Mason earning a 9.800.
With Kentucky earning a vault score of 49.325, the Cougars moved to their second event just .125 behind the Wildcats.
Freshman Ava Jorgensen opened the second rotation with a 9.800 on the vault. Mason and Sydney Benson added two 9.850s, along with two more 9.800s from Eaquinto and Melissa Earl. The Cougars earned a 49.100 on vault.
The Wildcats held onto their lead, finishing their second rotation with a 49.450 following a perfect 10 on the uneven bars by Raena Worley.
The Cougars moved to the floor in the third rotation. Olivia Matern posted a 9.800 and Sophie Dudley posted a 9.825 to begin the rotation for BYU. Benson posted a team-high 9.850 as the Cougars earned a floor score of 48.975.
Heading into the final rotation, Kentucky had a team score of 148.100, followed by BYU at 147.275.
Mason scored a 9.850 to open the final rotation for the Cougars on the balance beam. Eliza Millar-Crossman also posted a 9.800 for BYU, followed by a season-high 9.875 by Mina Margraf. Rollins scored a season-high 9.925, with freshman Brynlee Anderson anchoring the Cougars with a 9.875.
With five out of six balance beam scores being above 9.800, the Cougars earned a season-high beam score of 49.325 to close out the meet at Kentucky. The Wildcats took home the win, beating the Cougars 197.775-196.600.
Up next, the Cougars return to the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah for their second home meet of the 2024 season on Friday, Feb. 23 against Big 12 opponent Denver. The meet will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MT.