RECAP | Southern Utah Hits Second Best Score In Program History on My Cause Night
CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Emotions and scores were high Monday evening as the Flippin' Birds posted their second best score in program history while wearing ribbons that represented loved ones battling cancer. SUU's 197.075 downed the visiting Pittsburgh Panthers who scored a 196.000.
"I had a feeling that they would come out and perform tonight," said head coach Scotty Bauman. "It was so good to go 24 for 24 with no falls. They really just brought the energy that we've been looking for out of them all season. And in regards to Morgan Alfaro's vault - I can't even comment without tearing up. I wore blue and yellow for her even though it was Pitt's colors, it was worth it."
Upon completion of the meet, Karley McClain posted her highest all-around score of her career. The reigning MRGC Gymnast of the Week scored a 39.525, tied for the third-highest all-around score in program history. Morgan Alfaro also hit a career high on vault and Madison Loomis claimed the highest score of her career on floor. As a team, the Flippin' Birds were awarded their highest beam score of the season.
The Thunderbirds theme for the evening was "My Cause", where each gymnast represented a loved one with cancer by wearing the perspective cancer colored ribbon in their hair. Most of the student-athletes picked friends or extended family members, but Alfaro sported a yellow and blue ribbon for her mom who is currently battling sarcoma and bone cancer. It was evident that her event was for her mother as she approached the runway. Once she stuck the landing, there wasn't a dry eye in the building as the score flashed a 9.925 - a career high, naming her the event champion for the evening.
Alfaro's big score was followed by current MRGC Vault Specialist of the week, Madison McBride's 9.850 and Karley McClain's 9.825. Stephanie Tervort hit a solid 9.800, ending with Caitlin Kho's 9.775. The Thunderbirds ended the event with a score of 49.125.
Led by McClain's 9.900, the T-Birds posted their highest beam score of the year, earning a 49.225. McClain's score was followed by Shylen Murakami and Autumn Jorgensen's 9.850, Hannah Nipp's 9.825 and both Rachel Smith and Mikaela DeFilippo's 9.800.
SUU's best event score of the night was on floor where they earned a 49.425, led by McClain's 9.925 and both Molly Jozwiakowski and Madison McBride's 9.900. Madison Loomis hit her highest score ever, posting a 9.850 alongside Autumn Jorgensen who also scored a 9.850.
Becky Rozsa-Thompson topped the bars scores of the evening, earning the event champion crown after being awarded an impressive 9.900. She was followed by McClain who scored a 9.875, Tervort who hit a 9.850, Murakami who scored a 9.825 and Caitlin Kho who stuck a 9.800.
Next Meet
The Southern Utah Gymnastics team is set to host their last home meet of the season against the Boise State Broncos this Friday, February 28, inside the America First Event Center.
Follow Us
Stay up to date during the 2020 Southern Utah Gymnastics season by following @SUUGym on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Gymnastics page on Facebook.
Tickets
Tickets for the Flippin' Birds' next home meet on February 28 against BSU are available at tbirdtickets.com or the America First Event Center Ticket Office. Fans can also purchase a Women's Sports Pass for access to all 2020 regular season home meets.
