CEDAR CITY, Utah - Jan. 22 - Southern Utah hit 24-of-24 routines without suffering a fall on Friday night as the Thunderbirds cruised to a 195.050-191.225 victory over Utah State. The T-Birds swept every individual title during the night as SUU had more than 3,000 fans in attendance at the home opener.
"I was proud that the girls hit all of their routines," head coach Scott Bauman said after the meet. "That is what you strive for as a team and that was one of our goals going into the season. However, we have room to get better and know that we will continue to get better each time."
Southern Utah led the meet from the opening mark as the T-Birds recorded a 48.875 on vault, led by Melissa Johnson's 9.825. Johnson captured her second consecutive vault title of the season and was followed by freshman Caitlin Kennedy with a career-best 9.800. Brooke Cersosimo joined Kennedy with her own career high, scoring a 9.750 to tie for fourth. Kennedy later came back on bars, scoring a second career high with a 9.750 to finish third on the event.
The Thunderbirds increased their margin during the second rotation as Elise Wheeler scored a 9.875 on the uneven bars to secure her first of four individual titles during the night. Southern Utah finished on bars with the top six scores on the apparatus as all six gymnasts scored a 9.700 or better, including freshman Alyssa Click with a career-high 9.700. As a team, SUU scored a 48.875.
"This meet was amazing," Kennedy said after her first collegiate meet in the Centrum. "The crowd is such a great support and this had to be one of the best experiences of my life."
The night just continued to get better for the 'Birds as the team moved to the balance beam, scoring a 48.450. Wheeler's 9.775 on the event marked her second title of the night. Southern Utah swept the top four spots of the meet as Johnson (9.725), Ari Lamb (9.700) and Kennedy (9.650) rounded out the top spots.
The medal sweeps for the T-Birds carried over to the floor exercise as Bailey Baker scored a career-high 9.800 on the event to tie Wheeler for the individual title. Shannon Coughlin's 9.775 tied the junior for third on the event as Southern Utah finished the night with a 48.850.
Wheeler's score of 39.175 in the all-around wrapped up her fourth individual title as the Thunderbirds secured the 195.050-191.225 victory.
Southern Utah will be back on the road during its next two meets as the T-Birds will make a tour of the Golden State with meets at Sacramento State and San Jose State. Both meets will also feature a matchup with Cal State Fullerton.
