BYU gymnastics loses tight competition to Central Michigan

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BYU women’s gymnastics scored 193.575 but were edged out by Central Michigan who scored 194.775 Friday night at the McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant.

Ari Davis
Emily Vidmar competes on floor for BYU against Utah. The Cougars fell short to Central Michigan 194.775-193.575. (Ari Davis)

“It wasn’t the performance we wanted,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “You can’t go on the road, have three falls and win, but we did improve on our sticks.”

The Cougars started the night off strong on the uneven bars. Jill Van Mierlo led the team with a season-high score of 9.775. Freshman Savanna Maradiaga and sophomore Mackenzie Douglas followed with matching scores of 9.725. The team finished the rotation with a score of 48.600 to Central Michigan’s 48.375. This would be BYU’s highest scoring rotation and only lead of the night.

Douglas scored a 9.775 on the vault, tying for first place on vault with Central Michigan’s Karlee Teet. Makenzie Halliday added her score of 9.750 and Van Mierlo added a 9.700. The Cougars trailed the Chippewas after the second rotation 97.300-97.175.

Senior Emily Vidmar received a team-high score of 9.800 on floor during the third rotation. Van Mierlo followed with a 9.775 and Sin To added her score of 9.725. BYU finished the third rotation with a running score of 145.125, just under a point shy of Central Michigan’s 146.050.

The Cougars finished the night on the balance beam. Halliday earned a score of 9.800, while Vidmar added a 9.725 and Mikaela Jones a 9.700, but it wasn’t enough for the win as BYU lost 194.775-193.575.

Halliday sat out from the all-around competition she typically competes in. Van Mierlo participated in her place.

“Jill was our all-around and she did great,” Young said. “She was last up on bars and when we needed a hit, she really came through. On floor it was a new routine for her and she did it the best I’ve ever seen.”

Van Mierlo placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.825.

The Cougars return to Provo for their first home meet of the season on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. They will host UC Davis and Boise State in the Smith Fieldhouse.

 

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