PROVO, Utah – In a close match-up, the Cougars came away with their third win in a row and highest score of the season to beat the Thunderbirds at the Smith Field House on Friday, Feb. 18 with a final score of 197.225-197.000.
“We were super excited to come away with a win with our record breaking floor score,” said head coach Guard Young. “The Thunderbirds definitely pushed us and both teams are leaving with 197s which is always a good thing. We had great energy in the Smith Fieldhouse and BYU fans should definitely come out for our next meet.”
Senior Sadie Miner-Van Tassell hit her career high on floor with a score of 9.950. Also competing for All-Around, Miner-Van Tassell came away with another career high of 39.525.
BYU started the night strong on vault with senior Haley Pitou scoring a 9.800 for the Cougars. Elease Rollins and Allix Mason followed up Pitou with solid scores of 9.825. These scores marked a career high for Rollins and season high for Mason. With the highest score on vault, Sydney Benson also hit her career high with a score of 9.900. Despite the Cougars putting up their highest team vault score of the season, they trailed the Thunderbirds by .15 after the first rotation.
Miner-Van Tassell went first in the second rotation, receiving a 9.800 for the Cougars. For her fourth time this season, Anyssa Alvardo scored a 9.925 which was the highest score on bars for BYU. Pitou finished off BYU’s second rotation with a score of 9.875. Still behind Southern Utah, BYU followed closely at 98.500-98.450.
The Cougars held strong in their third rotation on the balance beam. Sophia McClelland posted a solid score of 9.800 for BYU. Notching a new career-high score, Mina Margraf scored a 9.775 on beam. Miner-Van Tassell came away with a 9.900 on the apparatus and Rollins followed with a 9.950 on beam. BYU finished the rotation slightly behind SUU at 147.825-147.550.
Hitting three career highs, BYU finished the night on floor. Junior Lindsey Hunter started BYU off in the final rotation on floor, receiving a 9.900. Senior Abby Beeston followed with a score of 9.925, then Miner-Van Tassel with a 9.950. With the highest score of the night, Senior Brittney Vitkauskas took home a 9.975 for the Cougars. BYU finished the apparatus with their highest team score of the season as well as tying the fourth highest score in BYU history on floor. The score of 49.625 pulled the Cougars ahead of Boise State to come away with the win.
At the end of the meet, head coach Guard Young honored BYU alum, Abby Miner Alder as a 2021 All American. Miner Alder ended her senior season in 2021 being ranked 10 nationally on floor and was voted the MRGC Player of the Year. She also made All Conference First Team on vault, floor and all-around and All Conference Second Team on beam in her 2021 season. Older sister to Sadie Miner-Van Tassell, Miner Alder is currently in nursing school at the University of Utah.