PROVO, Utah — No. 22 BYU gymnastics beat Air Force 196.450 to 192.700 Friday night in the Smith Fieldhouse with record-breaking performances.
"It was a great meet for us again," BYU head coach Guard Young said. "It feels like the girls are performing at a really high confidence level. We're deep and have lots of options, and it's hard to know who to put in."
On a night filled with with career and season highs, the Cougars scored a season-high total score of 196.450. Seven gymnasts set new personal records, and sophomore Shannon Hortman Evans led BYU with an all-around career-high of 39.300.
In the first rotation, the Cougars posted a 48.925 on vault, the team's highest score on the event this season. Mackenzie Douglas led the team with a season-high 9.825. Evans scored a 9.800 while Angel Zhong and Avery Bennett each earned a 9.775. At the conclusion of the first rotation, BYU led Air Force 48.925 to 48.550.
Five gymnasts earned career-high scores as the Cougars scored a season-high team score of 49.200 on bars in the second rotation. Natasha Trejo Marsh and Evans tied their career-highs of 9.875. Freshman Abby Boden recorded a career-high 9.825, and Zhong set her own career-high with a 9.775. BYU extended their lead over the Falcons to 98.125 to 96.025.
After the third rotation, the Cougars stayed on top 147.175 to 144.275. Van Mierlo led on beam with a 9.875, leading BYU to earn a 49.050. Evans recorded a 9.850 and Marsh earned a 9.800. Zhong set a second career high after receiving a 9.750.
In the final rotation, BYU ended strong with a final season-high team score of 49.275 on the floor. Douglas continued to show her dominance on floor, earning a career-best 9.925. Abbey Miner also scored a career-high 9.850 while Briana Pearson had an equally impressive performance with another 9.850.
BYU vs Air Force Final Results
The Cougars will compete next at Denver University on Feb. 3. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. MST in the Hamilton Gymnasium.