Evans' career-high aids No. 14 BYU to a 194.975
BERKELEY, Calif. – The No. 14 BYU gymnastics team scored a 194.975 for third place in their tri-meet against No. 18 Cal and No. 19 Arizona State Saturday night.
"It was great to be out on a floor with two very good PAC 12 teams," BYU head coach Guard Young said. "It was a great road test for us as we started on balance beam. It is always difficult for teams to do and I think we did a good job. I was really proud of the efforts that our girls showed tonight. Shannon was just at a different level tonight. She is a competitor and was just at a different level than I have ever seen her at."
Captain Shannon Evans shined as she performed her way to a career-best 39.475 in the all-around, the highest score among all performers. She recorded a career-high 9.925 on vault to give her the individual title for the event.
The Cougars started the meet on beam and had three gymnasts score a 9.800 or better. Abby Boden led the way with a 9.850. She was followed by Natasha Marsh's 9.825 and Evans' 9.800. Helody Cyrenne posted a 9.750 while Cheyenne Hill scored a 9.725. Abbey Miner also competed and earned a 9.475. BYU posted a 48.950 in the first rotation but the Bears led the way with a 49.075 and the Sun Devils followed with a 49.000.
In the second rotation, Evans led the way with a 9.875 on her floor routine and was followed by Abbey Miner's 9.800. Brittney Vitkauskas and Briana Pearson each scored a 9.775. Boden and Sadie Miner tallied a 9.750 and 9.475, respectfully. BYU posted a 48.975 to bring the score to 97.925.
On vault, BYU scored a 48.825 as Evans posted a career high 9.925. Rebekah Bean followed with a 9.775, Avery Bennet tallied a 9.750 and Abbey Miner added a 9.725. Angel Zhong received a 9.650 while Hill scored a 9.600. After three rounds, Cal had the lead with a 147.600 and the Cougars and Arizona State were tied with scores of 146.750.
On the parallel bars for the final rotation, BYU earned a 48.225. Evans once again led the way with a 9.875 and Boden tallied a 9.825. Natasha Marsh scored a 9.750 while Cyrenne recorded a 9.700. Haley Pitou and Gabrielle Hubbard also competed in the final event, scoring a 9.075 and 9.050.
At the close of the meet, Cal took first place with a 196.700, Arizona State came in second with 195.700 and the Cougars rounded out in third place with a 194.975.
The Cougars continue on the road as they travel to Air Force on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. MST. It will be a quad-meet as Springfield and Seattle Pacific will also compete.