Women's Gymnastics 3/13/2011 4:39:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Gymnastics Finishes Second to Iowa on Senior Day

CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 12 - Southern Utah University honored its five departing seniors at the end of the meet, but the team finished behind Iowa on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Hawkeyes 196.450-195.400. The Thunderbirds did post a victory over Utah State as the Aggies finished the competition with a 193.150.

SUU and Iowa began the meet in a deadlock after the first rotation as both teams scored a 48.925 on vault and beam, respectively. The mark was the second highest team score on vault this season with seniors Shannon Coughlin and Lindsey Schultz leading the way for the T-Birds with matching 9.875's. The duo finished second overall on the event.

Southern Utah then moved to bars, hitting 6-of-6 with sophomores Alyssa Click and Michaela Chernoch finishing fourth on the event with 9.825's. However, Iowa took the lead with the first of three team 49's, scoring a 49.025 on floor. Following the second rotation Iowa led 97.950 to the Thunderbirds' 97.750.

SUU suffered a fall during its second routine on beam, but bounced back to hit 5-of-5 on the event with Click again leading the team with a 9.875. The score marked a new career-best and also garnered first-place honors for the Vancouver, Washington native. Senior Ari Lamb was close behind with a 9.825 as the Thunderbirds finished with a 48.650.

Southern Utah rounded out the night with its first 49 of the competition, scoring a 49.000 on the floor exercise. Schultz, Coughlin and Click each finished in the top five, scoring a 9.850, 9.825 and 9.800, respectively. However, a final 49.175 by Iowa on bars left the T-Birds in second place with a 195.400. Despite the loss the score was the third highest for Southern Utah this season.

Lamb tallied the top all-around score for the Thunderbirds with a 39.125 and was followed by Lauren Jeffrey with a career-best 38.750.

Following the meet, Southern Utah's five seniors - Jenna Vogt, Lindsey Schultz, Bailey Pendley, Ari Lamb and Shannon Coughlin - were each honored for their individual contributions to the gymnastics program over the course of their careers.

SUU will be back in action next weekend, looking to defend its 2010 conference championship when the Thunderbirds take part in the Western Athletic Conference championships in San Jose, California.

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