SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Feb. 22 - Southern Utah gymnastics finished second to the University of Utah and well ahead of Utah State University in a three-way meet on Friday night.  The Thunderbirds' score of 193.100 marked the lowest for the team all year, but will still mean a top-25 ranking for the team when the latest poll comes out on Monday.

"This is a tough environment to come into and compete well in," head coach Scott Bauman said after the meet.  "This really prepares us well for the rest of the season and will make us better.  We struggled horribly tonight on bars and beam and are a far better team than what you saw out there tonight."

Southern Utah began the night on the floor for its first rotation, scoring its third highest score of the season with a 48.475.  The Thunderbirds middle three recorded the highest individual scores with Elise Wheeler leading the way with a 9.825 and Kellie Dangerfield and Katie Hicks just behind with a 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.  Senior Tehani Douglas led off the Flippin' Birds on the event and opened with a 9.600.  Shannon Coughlin's 9.575 was the final score counted towards the team score and included a neutral deduction after stepping out on a tumbling pass.

After the first rotation Southern Utah held a slight lead over Utah State (48.450), but trailed the University of Utah (49.450).  Utah's opening rotation on vault included the team's second perfect-10 of the season as Ashley Postell's 10.0 on the event was preceded by Kristina Baskett's 9.975.

Southern Utah moved to vault for the second rotation and scored a 48.625, also marking the third-highest score of the season.  Wheeler once again led the team with a team-high 9.800 on the event followed by 9.750's by Melissa Johnson and Coughlin.  Vogt and Dangerfield rounded out the scored marks with a 9.675 and 9.650, respectively.

The University of Utah continued to lead following the second rotation with a team score of 98.650.  However, SUU (97.100) was able to extend its lead over Utah State who finished with a team score of 94.500 after having to count three falls on beam.

Southern Utah advanced to its strongest event of the year with the uneven bars on the third rotation.  Despite the strength going into the event, the Thunderbirds scored their lowest score of the night and for the season with a 48.125.  Dangerfield tallied the best score for Southern Utah with a 9.775.  Freshman Ari Lamb (9.700), Senior Erin Morgan (9.675), Vogt (9.650) and Douglas (9.600) rounded out the marks counting towards the team score.

SUU held onto its second-place spot after the rotation with an overall team score of 145.225, with Utah still in the lead with a 147.975 and Utah State in third with a 141.300.

Southern Utah's struggles continued on the beam in the team's final rotation.  The Thunderbirds once again recorded a season-low 47.875 with the team counting a fall and two near falls during the event.  Vogt and Hicks led the 'Birds with a 9.750 and 9.725, respectively on the event.  The individual scores dipped dramatically from there with Wheeler (9.575), Dangerfield (9.525) and Coughlin (9.300) making up the rest of the team score.

The University of Utah wrapped up its first place finish with a 49.225 team score on floor for an overall score of 197.200.  Southern Utah ended in second with 193.100 with Utah State in third with a 189.650.  Utah's Ashley Postell took individual honors on vault (10.000), beam (9.950), floor (9.925) and all-around (39.750) and tied teammate Kristina Baskett for first place on the bars with a 9.875.

Southern Utah will make a quick turn around and compete against Southeast Missouri State on Monday night.  The meet is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.