Despite outstanding performances by freshman Jill Van Mierlo and junior Makenzie Johnson and a season-high team score, BYU gymnastics fell to Utah State, 195.500 to 195.300, on Friday evening at the Smith Fieldhouse.

Van Mierlo placed second in the all-around with a score of 39.225 while Johnson was third overall with a 39.150. The Cougars’ team score surpassed the previous team best of 193.350 that was achieved in the first meet of the season.

“Three events we did really well,” BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said. “We stayed on beam, but we were just a little too wobbly. We just need to calm down a little and get it together on beam. I think we can do much better than we’re doing, but the other events I was pleased with. I felt like a 195.3 is not a half bad score this time of year.”

Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.

After the first rotation BYU led 49.050 to Utah State’s 48.575. Johnson scored 9.850 on the vault while senior Kaycee Gassaway and junior Eliane Kulczyk each registered season highs with 9.775 and 9.825, respectively. Van Mierlo had a career-high 9.825.

The Cougars then took their turn at the uneven bars, maintaining a lead over the Aggies, 97.900 to 97.425. Kulczyk turned in a solid routine with a meet-high 9.850, while Johnson held her own, matching a season high with 9.825.

View Comments

On the beam, BYU upped its score to 146.075, while Utah State used a strong showing in the floor to increase its score to 146.225 for the lead. Senior Jordan Schult recorded a career high on the balance beam with a 9.625. Van Mierlo came through with another career best with 9.800 to pace the home team.

With the final event, the Cougars made a push in the floor routine, putting up a collective 49.225, but the Aggies sealed the match with a season-high 49.275 on the beam. Gassaway led all gymnasts in the floor routine with a 9.875 score.

BYU resumes competition in a dual meet against Southern Utah next Friday at 7 p.m. MST.

McKay Perry is the sports information director for BYU softball and an assistant sports information director for BYU football. Contact him at softball_sid@byu.edu

Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.