BYU gymnastics prepares for first Big 12 home meet
BYU gymnastics recently competed in Ames, Iowa against Big 12 opponent Iowa State. It was their first-ever Big 12 meet. Despite their loss, the Cougars received a 196.13, their highest score of the season thus far.
Freshman Ava Jorgensen received a 9.800 on vault and explained that their success in this meet was due to the team’s energy.
“I think it was our energy throughout the meet [to help us get the highest score this season], we kept it high the whole time and we never let it die down. It helped us continue to the end to get a good score,” said Jorgensen.
Freshman Brynlee Anderson got a 9.850 on Beam and said that the team helped each other accomplish that milestone.
“Together as a team, we were able to help each other, adjust, and do what we came [there] to do,” said Anderson.
After the meet, Iowa State welcomed BYU properly to the conference.
“At the end of the meet we were all on the floor together at the end and they were like, ‘Welcome to the Big 12!’ and we all cheered. It was really fun because they seemed excited to have us too, and that just made the experience that much better,” said Junior Eliza Millar-Crossman.
BYU hosts West Virginia for the first-ever Big 12 home meet at the Marriott Center on February 2nd. The team prepared to accommodate the fans and the new environment.
“Specifically, a change we have made in the last two years is that we compete in the Marriott center now … As we have moved into the Big 12, we have been trying to create that high-end environment. We started with the arena and upping that, and our coach wants our gymnastics to follow that,” said Millar-Crossman.
This season, they rearranged the layout of the events. The gymnasts will compete on floor in front of the ROC section, as well as the gymnasts will vault towards the students.
Preparing for this meet the team has a goal to get their highest score of the season.
“Going to the next home meet we are looking for a higher score than we have been getting. We are hoping that this meet is the highest score of the season so far,” said Millar-Crossman.
The team is working on their landings and little tweaks to accomplish this task.
“[Coach Young] has told us that we need to be more focused on landings and sticking. We can hang with these Big 12 teams, but if we are not diligent in our details then sometimes we fall behind,” said Anderson.
This first home meet will make history in the Marriott Center. The Gymnasts are excited to show off their new skills and routines to the students, and cannot wait to perform in front of a lively crowd.
“I do not think you can beat BYU fans. They are the best in the country. . . The students we had at our meets last year were amazing,” said Millar-Crossman, “Specifically our first home meet last year, I remember looking around and the ROC was full, and the arena was full. I thought, ‘This is amazing!’ I don’t think you can beat it.”
Cougar fans show up to witness history for this gymnastics program. These gymnasts are ready, prepared, and have worked hard to get to where they are.
“Going into this first meet we are really excited. We are wearing a new leo[tard],” said Millar-Crossman. “I think people will be really excited to see that because we always break out a good new outfit for the home meets.”
The meet will start at 9 pm ET, students may use their ROC passes to attend and tickets for the general public can be found on the BYU tickets website. For fans who aren’t local, the meet will be available to view on the Big 12 Now Network on ESPN+.
