CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Flippin' Birds are headed to Logan, Utah, to continue the season this Saturday, January 17. Southern Utah will take on Utah State in a head-to-head battle beginning at noon MT. The meet can be streamed on the Mountain West Network, and live stats will be available on StatBroadcast. 

This will be the second of four matchups that will feature the two teams. The Aggies took the first meeting this season placing ahead of the Flippin' Birds at the Best of Utah earlier this week. The two teams will square off again in Logan as part of a four-team meet on February 9, and once in Cedar City on March 2. Both squads are making the move to the PAC-12 following the 2026 season.  

Coach Scotty Bauman Said

"Utah State is a very strong team, especially at home, so this will be a great early-season road test for us. Our focus is on being sharp, trusting our preparation, and continuing to do our gymnastics across all four events."

The Competition 

Utah State

Utah State gymnastics enters the weekend meet with momentum after turning in a statement performance at the Best of Utah on Monday, finishing second behind No. 5 Utah with a 195.825, its second-highest season-opening score in program history. The Aggies showed consistency and depth across all four events, posting three rotations of 49.000 or better and racking up eight career highs in the process. Junior Sydney Jelen emerged as a leader, earning meet MVP honors with a career-best 9.850 on bars and a 9.800 on beam, while sophomore Olivia Orengo impressed with a 39.150 all-around. With five freshmen successfully making their collegiate debuts and a lineup that already looks polished yet full of upside, Utah State appears poised for a strong 2026 campaign as it continues to build in the early season. 

Southern Utah Notes

Week 1 National and Conference Rankings:

• No. 23 National Ranking 
• Vault: Ranked 35th nationally (48.775 Ave).
• Floor: Ranked 13th nationally (49.225 Ave).
• Bars: Ranked 36th nationally (48.750 Ave).
• Beam: Ranked 20th nationally (48.925 Ave).
• SUU led the MPSF on vault, bars, beam, and floor in week one.

Returning Major Award Winners:

• Southern Utah became the first program in MPSF history to sweep all five major end-of-year awards.
• MPSF Gymnast of the Year: Niya Randolph (Sophomore) — Second consecutive year receiving the award.
• MPSF Freshman of the Year: Mia Hampton (Freshman) — Earned eight Freshman of the Week awards.
• MPSF Head Coach of the Year: Scotty Bauman — Guided SUU to a No. 21 national ranking and conference-best NQS of 196.315.
• MPSF Assistant Coaches of the Year: Jamie Wysong and Jeff Richards — Recognized for leading top-ranked vault, floor, and bars squads.

• The Thunderbirds have earned 21 total Weekly Awards from the MPSF conference in 2025, including Hampton (8), Randolph (4), Bringhurst (1), Cacciola (2), Christensen (2), Gull (2), Miller (1), and Neff (1). 
• The Flippin' Birds have won three consecutive Conference Championships in two separate conferences. Winning the Final MRGC Championship before transitioning to the MPSF and securing their first two titles in their new conference.

2025 All-Conference Honorees Returning:

• 18 of 37 total All-MPSF selections awarded to SUU gymnasts.
• 11 First-Team All-MPSF honors — Most in the conference.
• Notable First-Team Honorees:
  • Vault: Mackenzie Kelly
  • Bars: Niya Randolph, Maria Ferguson, Brinlee Christensen
  • Beam: Rylee Miller
  • Floor: Mia Hampton
  • All-around: Niya Randolph, Brinlee Christensen

Record-Breaking Performances to Beat in 2026:

• Achieved a 2025 season-best score of 196.900 against No. 29 Boise State, tied for the third-highest score in MPSF history.
• Broke the 196-point barrier in nine meets during the 2025 season.

• Niya Randolph: Scored a 2025 season-high 39.450 three times in the all-around and a conference-best 9.925 on bars.
• Mia Hampton: Posted a 9.900 on floor twice during the 2025 season and finished the season ranked third in the MPSF on floor.

Season Tickets On Sale Now

Don't miss a moment as the Flippin' Birds pursue greatness and soar to new heights in 2026! Help us pack the America First Event Center by buying your season tickets today! Visit tbirdtickets.com to reserve your seats! 

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