CEDAR CITY, Utah - Junior Elliot Bringhurst has been named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Specialist of the Week, the conference announced Monday. The honor marks her first weekly award of the 2026 season and the second of her career after previously earning Specialist of the Week recognition during her sophomore campaign.

Head Coach Scotty Bauman Said

"Elliot has always had a special presence on beam. When the pressure is at its highest, that's when she's at her best. To go into Utah and deliver a 9.900 when it matters most says everything about her preparation and her belief in herself. What I'm most proud of is her growth. She's worked hard to become someone we can count on in big moments, and this award is a reflection of that consistency. She doesn't chase scores. She chases great routines, and the scores take care of themselves. It's great to see her recognized by the conference for the impact she's making on our team."

The Henderson, Nevada native delivered a clutch performance on the road as the Flippin' Birds faced No. 13 Utah in Salt Lake City. In a high-pressure road environment against the Red Rocks, Bringhurst stepped up in Southern Utah's balance beam lineup with a season-high 9.900, tying for second place overall on the event. Her routine capped a strong 49.100 team score in the final rotation.

Earlier in the meet, Bringhurst contributed a 9.800 on vault, helping Southern Utah post a 49.025 team total on the event. Her consistency across both events proved critical as the Flippin' Birds battled one of the nation's top teams in a hostile road atmosphere.

Bringhurst has built a reputation as one of Southern Utah's most dependable beam performers. Last season, she was named MPSF Specialist of the Week in Week 2 and maintained a 9.81 National Qualifying Score (NQS) on beam. She produced multiple clutch performances throughout the year, including a 9.925 at Utah State, and played a key role in stabilizing the lineup during early-season competition.

As a freshman, Bringhurst competed on beam in two meets, earning an early career-high 9.750 at the MPSF Conference Championship while averaging a 9.725 on the event.

Before arriving in Cedar City, Bringhurst established herself as an accomplished club gymnast, highlighted by a national beam championship and three Nevada state floor titles.

With this week's honor, Bringhurst continues to solidify her role as a cornerstone specialist for the Flippin' Birds, delivering under pressure and elevating the lineup when it matters most.

Next Up

The Flippin' Birds will be back in the America First Event Center next Friday, February 27. Southern Utah will take on MPSF foe UC Davis in a meet that begins at 6:30 p.m. MT. The meet will be streamed on overnght.com, and live stats are available on virti.us.

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