BYU gymnastics took last place with 194.150 points at the NCAA regionals held in Berkeley, California, on Saturday. Four of the Cougars’ competitors were nationally ranked, including No. 3 University of Utah, No. 10 University of Georgia, No. 15 Boise State University and No. 20 University of California Berkeley. Utah State also competed in the event.
“We didn’t have our best meet tonight, but we’re happy with the opportunity,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “Our girls stepped up every time we were hit with another challenge, and I’m proud of them.”
Georgia (197.025) and Utah (196.575) took first and second place and will advance to nationals. California (196.000), Boise State (195.375) and Utah State (195.150) finished in third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
BYU started on the floor and earned 48.375 points, the team’s second-lowest score of the season for the event. Makenzie Johnson led with 9.750. KayCee Gassaway added 9.700, and the three final scores didn’t break 9.650.
The Cougars improved on the vault with a team score of 49.025. Johnson scored the team’s highest again with 9.875. Sin To, Mikaela Jones and Gassaway each recorded 9.800, and Jordan Schult finished with 9.750.
Brittni Wilde’s strong 9.800 performance led BYU on the uneven bars. Johnson then marked a 9.775, Gassaway registered 9.750, Emily Vidmar contributed 9.675, and Brielle Wilchuck added 9.600 to the team’s 48.600.
BYU finished on the balance beam, which has proven to be its weakest event on the year. Johnson and Vidmar both earned 9.800, and Schult followed with 9.700. Taylor Harward raised the Cougars’ total by 9.675 for 48.150.
BYU took sixth place, but Johnson tied for fifth of 13 in the all-around competition with her 39.200 individual points.
The Cougars’ season included three first-place team wins.
