CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Flippin' Birds defended the America First Events Center once again defeating Utah State 196.600-193.425. The victory ties the all-time series between the two schools at 56 victories each. 

The Thunderbirds started the evening off on the vault and finished the competition with some outstanding floor routines. Graduate student Karley McClain continues to shine in the All-around competition tying her season high with an impressive 39.475 and placing first. Four different T-Birds tied for the high individual event scores of the meet including graduate student Shylen Murakami (9.925, bars), sophomore Ellie Cacciola (9.925, beam), graduate student Rachel Smith (9.925, floor), graduate student Karley McClain (9.925, floor). The Flippin' Birds swept the event scores, winning on all four apparatuses and in the all-around. 

VAULT (49.025)

Southern Utah vaulted to an early lead with some impressive scores in the opening rotation. Cacciola and freshman Kayla Pardue tied for the top event scores on the vault with a 9.850. The mark for Cacciola was a new career best. McClain was not far behind with a score of 9.825. Smith added a 9.775 and junior Hailey Vultaggio wrapped up the vault team scores with a 9.725.

BARS (48.950)

The Flippin' Birds moved on to the bars for the second rotation. Despite some early miscues, Southern Utah was able to recover thanks to a huge 9.925 score by Murakami which set a new season best. McClain added a 9.850 and sophomore Isabella Neff put up a 9.800. Graduate student Mayson Bentley recorded a 9.750 and Graduate Caitlin Kho contributed a 9.625.   

BEAM (49.200)

Following the first two rotations the Flippin' Birds held a significant lead. Cacciola set a new career record for the beam with her 9.925. Schwartze scored a tenth of a point higher than her previous season high with a 9.900. McClain bolstered the team score with a 9.875 and Smith added a 9.800 to the team's impressive 49.200 score.  

FLOOR (49.425)

The floor team for the Thunderbirds had its best showing of the season to this point. All five of the top scores in the meet came from SUU. McClain and Smith tied for first with a 9.925 while Vultaggio put up a 9.875. Cacciola and Schwartze put up the next best scores with matching 9.850 scores. 

TOP MOMENTS

Karley continues to FLOOR us 😱

9️⃣.9️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ 🤌#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/X8ICAYSjv2

— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023

Reminder: Aubri is very good at beam 👀

Like scary good 😈

9️⃣.9️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 👏#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/874qK4UkKz
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023
 

Rachel ﹩mith cashes in a 9️⃣.9️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ on the floor 🤑#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/F0hAk3mtHU
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023
 

✨BEAM QUEEN✨@ellie_cacciola sets her career-high with 9️⃣.9️⃣2️⃣5️⃣#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/ioKkRdiw8n
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023
 

Shylen sets the bar high with a 9️⃣.9️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ ‼️#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/GlH429FfKs
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023
 

Ellie earns a 9️⃣.8️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ on the vault 🔥🔥🔥#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/1AmvfmWv0X
— SUU Gymnastics (@SUUGym) January 21, 2023
 

NEXT UP

The Flippin' Birds will continue conference play next Friday when they travel to Boise for a dual meet against the Broncos. It will start at 7:00 p.m. MT at ExtraMile Arena.

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