BOISE, Idaho - The Flippin' Birds returned to Boise for the first time since the dissolution of the MRGC conference, this time to take on familiar foe Boise State and new conference affiliation Sacramento State. The Thunderbirds finished the tri-meet in second place with a score of 196.250. Boise State finished first, scoring 196.650, while the Hornets ranked third with 195. 225.
Southern Utah Freshman Niya Randolph led the Thunderbirds again, matching her career-high and placing first in the all-around with a 39.225. Sophomore Kayla Pardue really impressed on the vault coming in first place with a 9.950. The score is now tied for a Southern Utah program record and a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference record.
Head Coach Scotty Bauman Said
"This was a good road score, and we can keep building from this meet on our way into the back half of the season. Kayla Pardue's vault was phenomenal and showed just how capable she is of scoring that high."
Meet Recap
Bars (49.175)
The Flippin' Birds opened the meet on the bars, with freshman Brinlee Christensen scoring a career-high 9.875. Freshman Alex Routsis was next with a 9.775 of her own. Sophomore Trista Goodman nailed her routine, scoring 9.850, and Randolph added to the team total with another 9.850. Junior Isabella Neff followed that up, scoring 9.825. Senior Aubri Schwartze wrapped up the second rotation with a 9.750.
Beam (48.825)
Fernandez led off rotation number two for the T-Birds with a 9.775. McClain was next and scored a 9.700. Cacciola then wowed the judges, scoring an outstanding 9.825 for her routine. Randolph picked up a 9.750 before senior Aly Coutu added a solid routine, scoring 9.775, giving the T-Birds a 48.825 as a team.
Floor (49.125)
The Thunderbirds moved to the floor for the third rotation. Freshman Alyssa Fernandez got things started with a solid 9.825. Pardue was next with a 9.825 before Cacciola added a 9.775. Junior Taylor Gull stepped to the floor next with an impressive 9.875. An excellent routine for Randolph scored 9.825, followed by a 9.600 from Christensen.
Vault (49.125)
The Flippin' Birds would finish the meet on the vault, where junior Ellie Cacciola led the team off with a score of 9.825. Randolph was next with a 9.800 before McClain posted a 9.750. Pardue followed that up by tying a program record with an incredible vault that scored 9.950. Gull added a 9.725 and wrapping up the rotation for the Thunderbirds was Goodman, who scored 9.800.
Next Up
The Flippin' Birds will return to the America First Event Center to take on Big Ten powerhouse Iowa State. The teams will square off on Monday, February 26. The meet will begin at 7:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on Overnght.
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