LOGAN, Utah -- The No. 19 Southern Utah Flippin' Bird gymnastics program set a new road high score on Friday evening, as they topped the No. 24 ranked Utah State Aggies 196.650-196.225 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
"We've told the team the entire year that they're capable of this, and we can go up into the 197's pretty easily, and it's not going to matter if it's at home or on the road as long as we do our gymnastics," SUU head coach Scott Bauman said. "The girls looked relaxed and calm throughout the entire meet. I was just so impressed with that team."
The Thunderbirds started the night on bars, as they were led by a pair of 9.900's from both Mayson Bentley and Shylen Murakami. Bentley matched her career high and season high with her score, while Murakami hit a season high.
Nikki Thomas scored a 9.850, while both Karley McClain and Aubri Schwartze had a 9.825 to round out the scoring lineup for Southern Utah on the event. Thomas' score was also a career-high.
The 49.300 the Thunderbirds scored on bars matches the second-highest mark in the history of the program.
As the T-Birds moved to vault, they were led by a 9.850 from Morgan Alfaro and a 9.825 from McClain to score a 48.975 on the event as a team. Alfaro shared the event title with Mikaela Meyer of Utah State.
On floor, McClain once again led the squad with a 9.875. Molly Jozwiakowski wasn't far behind with a 9.850. Aubri Schwartze, Rachel Smith and Hailey Vultaggio all hit a 9.800 to help propel the Thunderbirds to a team score of 49.125 on the event.
McClain earned the event title on floor for the Thunderbirds.
Southern Utah wrapped up the night on beam, where Murakami again notched a 9.900 to set the tone for the Thunderbirds. McClain had a 9.875, and Schwartze scored a 9.850.
The Flippin' Birds hit a 49.250 on beam to finish the night with a 196.650.
McClain finished with a 39.400 in the all-around.
The Aggies of Utah State had some impressive individual performances as well, as Maia Fishwick won the bars event title with a 9.950 and Autumn DeHarde won the beam event title with a 9.925.
"This is just the beginning, honestly," Bauman said. "They've been so good all preseason long, even with all the complications and distractions, and it's really starting to come together now. They've handled anything that was thrown at them."
Southern Utah will continue their 2021 campaign next Friday, as the Boise State Broncos will be back inside the America First Event Center. This will be Southern Utah's first home meet of the season against an MRGC opponent.
Stay up to date during the 2021 Southern Utah Gymnastics season by following @SUUGym on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Gymnastics page on Facebook.
