Southern Utah at Utah State

Recap

The Big Storyline: You would never know beam rotations were looking awfully rough after week one for these two teams. Southern Utah put up a 49.250 on beam while Utah State also capitalized on the event with a 49.275, thanks in part to Autumn DeHarde who made her return to the lineup with a 9.925 after missing the first meet of the year. Mayson Bentley notched another 9.900 on bars to tie her week one score after falling against Air Force.

Implications: Don’t count the MRCG teams out from making a big splash in the rankings. While other top 15 teams struggled this week, these two programs were able to put up 196-plus team totals. Even more impressive? Both teams did this without certain gymnasts competing on all their events due to injury. DeHarde was only on beam for Utah State and Nipp was scratched from the remainder of her events after a fall on bars.

Records: Southern Utah set a program record road score with a 196.650. Maia Fishwick scored a career high 9.950 on bars for Utah State.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 19 Southern Utah at No. 24 Utah State 

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Utah State may be ranked lower than Southern Utah, but the Aggies were able to hold off the Thunderbirds to take third place at Best of Utah to open the season. Utah State is coming off a bye and is expected to get senior Autumn DeHarde back after she suffered a “dinger” in practice and didn’t travel in week one. Meanwhile, Southern Utah was able to improve upon its performance with outstanding beam and floor routines from Hannah Nipp and Karley McClain during its home opener. These two teams will be fighting for a higher standing in the MRGC conference rankings all season long. It should be a rivalry to keep an eye on. 

Need More Proof? DeHarde is expected to make her season debut for Utah State. The senior is a lineup mainstay on vault, beam and floor. Also, she didn’t compete at Best of Utah, but we have our eyes on Anique Grenier eventually making her debut on bars for Utah State. Greiner joined the team as a junior after taking a break from gymnastics. Nipp has a stunning floor routine in the anchor spot for Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds also have a junior addition to their team in Mayson Bentley, who immediately made an impact with a 9.900 routine on bars in week one. She struggled last week, but we expect to see more great routines from her in the future.