MRGC Championship

Recap

The Big Storyline: BYU took home its first ever MRGC conference championship and is the only team besides Boise State and Denver to earn a win since the conference was initiated in 2013. The competition was the closest of any conference championship this weekend and is a good indication of the bright future for all four times. Each team scored within the 196.000 range and avoided any disasters. BYU was able to claim the title as it was the only team to reach the beloved 49.000 mark on each apparatus. Utah State also had a historic night as its total of a 196.250 is a program best for a conference meet. 

Postseason Implications: All four teams were a probable lock prior to this championship, and this competition solidified that. BYU has a chance at making the national championships if a higher ranked team has an off day.

Records: BYU won its first ever MRGC championship. Utah State’s 196.250 is a program best for a conference meet and its seventh best home score. Boise State’s 49.325 is the second highest score on vault at a conference championship.

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Abbey Miner Alder (BYU)
• Vault Specialist of the Year: Morgan Alfaro (Southern Utah)
• Bar Specialist of the Year: Emily Muhlenhaupt (Boise State)
• Beam Specialist of the Year: Autumn DeHarde (Utah State)
• Co-Floor Specialist of the Year: Abbey Miner Alder, Brittney Vitkauskas (BYU)
• Freshman of the Year: Aubri Schwartze (Southern Utah)
• Coach of the Year: Guard Young (BYU)
• Assistant Coach of the Year: Natalie Broekman (BYU)

Preview

• No. 12 BYU | 197.063 NQS | 197.30 season high
• No. 19 Boise State | 196.706 NQS | 196.900 season high
• No. 20 Southern Utah | 196.663 NQS | 197.275 season high
• No. 21 Utah State | 196.531 NQS | 196.775 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The MRGC has been the conference to watch all year long. All four teams are ranked in the top 25 and have made substantial improvements in their respective programs this season. Boise State is the only team that has won the MRGC championship since Denver left for the Big 12. BYU and Southern Utah both hold threats to that title reign as they have both hit the 197 in 2021. BYU is the favorite to take the win, though any team could surge and claim it as the head-to-head competitions this season have been tight all-year long.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… BYU is ranked No. 10 on floor and has a fabulous rotation led by specialist Brittany Vitkauskas and senior Abbey Miner Alder. Miner Alder has been close to a 10 multiple times this season and will be looking to finally reach the mark Saturday. Emily Muhlenhaupt is a treat on bars for Boise State and is also striving for perfection. She’s also a potential contender for the national bar title with her 9.950 NQS.  

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Southern Utah has the potential to overtake BYU and come out with the conference title. However, the Thunderbirds have been hit by mysterious absences in recent weeks. A healthy Hannah Nipp, Shylen Murakami and Karley McClain are key factors in contributing to a win and an NQS boost for regionals placement.  

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• BYU: 0 titles (5 titles in former conferences)
• Boise State: 5 titles, last won in 2019 (9 titles in former conferences)
• Southern Utah: 0 titles (1 title in former conferences)
• Utah State: 0 (4 titles in former conferences)

Note: The MRGC was formed in 2013.

Records Watch

• Team: 197.050 (Boise State 2018)
• Vault: 49.300 (Boise State 2019)
• Bars: 49.475 (Boise State 2019)
• Beam: 49.350 (Boise State 2019)
• Floor: 49.575 (Boise State 2016)

Last Time Out

Boise State has won the last five MRGC championship titles. The 2019 champions were stellar on bars and were the only team to go 4-plus on each apparatus. In 2020, BYU was given the regular season title, but a conference championship meet was not held due to COVID-19. 

*Special thanks to Drew Porche for all of the Records Watch data provided in this preview.