BERKELEY, Calif. – The BYU gymnastics team earned a third place finish with its second-highest team score of the season of 196.325 at Haas Pavilion Friday evening.
No. 6 Cal took home the win with a 197.750, followed by ASU’s 196.800. BYU earned a 196.325 and Washington rounded out the competition with a 195.450.
The Cougars opened their night on the balance beam. Freshman Chloee Hoke earned her second 9.825 of the season, followed by a 9.875 from Brynlee Andersen for an event total of 48.975 to open the competition.
After the first rotation, Cal led with a 49.400, followed by ASU with a 49.300. BYU and Washington were tied for third at 48.975.
BYU moved to the floor in the second rotation, scoring an event total of 49.225. Eliza Millar-Crossman led off with a 9.8, her seventh meet in a row with a 9.8 or higher on floor. She was followed by Olivia Matern’s season-high 9.825. For the fourth week in a row, senior Sophie Dudley scored a 9.850 and Heidi Schooley-Meyers tied her season-high 9.875. Kylie Eaquinto tallied a 9.800, her eighth meet in a row at 9.8 or above. Andersen topped off the rotation with another 9.875.
With a strong floor rotation, the Cougars moved up, tied for second with ASU at 98.200. Cal pulled away after a strong bars rotation with a 98.900. The Huskies rounded out the group with a 98.025.
Freshman Deb Silva led the Cougars on vault with a new career and team high 9.925, with one judge giving her a perfect 9.950. Tying her career high and earning a new season high, Dudley led on vault with a 9.850. Senior Melissa Earl scored a 9.800 and Mya Kirkham scored her second 9.825 of the season. With a 9.8 by Eaquinto, the Cougars earned a new season-high 49.200 on vault.
Cal led the competition heading into the final rotation with a 148.250, followed by the Sun Devils (147.500), BYU’s 147.375 and Washington (146.375).
The Cougars closed out the competition on the uneven bars. Freshman Addilyn Glazier earned a 9.8, followed by a 9.875 from Eaquinto to tie her career high on the apparatus. For the second week in a row, Alilah Alvarado scored a 9.8, bouncing back from a fall on beam to start the meet.
With the conclusion of the regular season, BYU will next compete at the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, Mar. 22. This year’s event features two sessions beginning at Noon MT and 5 p.m. MT. The top four teams will participate in the evening session with the other three teams facing off in the afternoon session.