BOISE, Idaho – Led by a strong bar routine from Shylen Murakami that claimed her an individual championship, the Southern Utah University gymnastics team finished third at the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championship Saturday night at ExtraMile Arena.
The Thunderbirds compiled a score of 196.500 which placed them in front of BYU's 196.375. Utah State won the championship on a score of 197.025, and host Boise State finished as the runner up on a 196.500.
FLOOR (49.125)
After a random drawing to determine the order of the championship meet, it was decided Southern Utah would start on floor. Aubri Schwartze led the Thunderbirds in the opening rotation by earning a score of 9.875 on her floor routine. Karley McClain followed with a 9.850, and Hailey Vultaggio and Hannah Nipp registered identical scores of 9.825.
VAULT (49.000)
The Thunderbird vaulters were consistent in the second rotation of the night with Celine Barney leading the way on a 9.825. Rachel Smith, Morgan Alfaro and Caitlin Kho all earned scores of 9.800 to follow. Hailey Vultaggio rounded out the event by earning a 9.775.
BARS (49.250)
Murakami provided the highlight of the night for the Flippin' Birds by recording a 9.950 on bars. The Senior was the sixth routine in the rotation but saved the best for last by earning SUU's best individual score of the meet. Her efforts tied her for the MRGC individual championship on bars. Southern Utah also got solid performances from Mayson Bentley and Kho who scored a 9.875 and 9.825, respectively. McClain and Schwartze both hit the 9.800 mark to complete the rotation.
BEAM (49.125)
McClain built on a strong meet for SUU by leading the Thunderbirds on the balance beam with a score of 9.875. Vultaggio recorded a 9.850 to follow, and Schwartze earned a score of 9.825. Murakami rounded out SUU's beam lineup with a 9.800.
Southern Utah will now await its postseason destination, hoping for a birth to the NCAA Regionals. The NCAA National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Selection Show will air Tuesday, March 22nd at Noon ET on NCAA.com. A link to the show will be on the front page of NCAA.com
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