LOGAN, Utah — Despite finishing fourth at the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championship with a score of 194.675, four BYU gymnasts earned awards Saturday night at the Dee Glen Spectrum.

“There are a lot of positives and I love the direction we’re going,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “Every routine out there tonight is a returning routine next year. We’re only going to get better and deeper with experience and the new freshmen coming in.”

Boise State claimed its third-straight conference title with a 197.050. Utah State followed in second with a 196.100, Southern Utah in third with a 196.075 and BYU in fourth with a 194.675.

Shannon Hortman took home the 2017 MRGC Freshman of the Year Award. She also earned a 39.250 in the all-around for second place. Junior Jill van Mierlo finished third in the all-around with a 38.700.

“Shannon taking Freshman of the Year is well deserved,” Young said. “She’s had a great freshman year.”

Junior Mackenzie Douglas and freshman Angel Zhong were both All-MRGC First Team selections on vault.

BYU started the night out on floor, earning a 48.950. Hortman led the Cougars with a 9.850 on the event while Briana Pearson and Kyleigh Greenlief each contributed a 9.800.  At the end of the first rotation, Boise State led with a 49.350, followed by Utah State’s 49.000 in second place. Southern Utah came in fourth with a 48.750.

On vault, BYU scored a 48.900 anchored by Douglas’ 9.825. Zhong and Hortman added scores of 9.800 and 9.775, respectively. All four teams maintained their standing with the Broncos in first (98.600), followed by the Aggies (98.125), Cougars (97.850) and Thunderbirds (97.775).

Costly falls on uneven bars moved BYU to fourth place with a running score of 145.950 after the third rotation. Hortman led the team with a 9.825 while van Mierlo earned a 9.775. Natasha Trejo posted a 9.725. Boise State continued to set the pace with a 147.600, followed by Utah State’s 147.150. Southern Utah moved to third place with a 146.700.

Three Cougars posted 9.800s on beam in the final and fourth rotation, including Cheyenne Hill, Hortman and Trejo. Hill tied her career high with the score. Hannah Miller added a 9.750 as BYU finished the night with a 48.725 on beam.

The Cougars look to continue their season competing in the NCAA regionals. The NCAA will announce its selections on Monday.

PROVO, Utah — Building on the momentum captured in the regular season, BYU gymnastics will compete in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championship Saturday night in Logan, Utah.

“Hopefully we go out to conference this Saturday and we hit our stride,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. “Going into conference, it’s anyone’s game.”

BYU will take on No. 11 Boise State, No. 19 Southern Utah and No. 23 Utah State in the fourth conference championship since the NCAA officially recognized the MRGC in 2014. Last year, the Cougars finished in third with a season-high 196.100.

The Broncos currently lead the conference with the highest regional qualifying score (RQS) of 196.835, followed by the Thunderbirds’ 196.300. The Aggies earned a 195.830 and the Cougars trail with a 195.460. To determine a regional qualifying score, a team’s season-high overall score is eliminated and then the five best regular-season-meet scores are averaged.

BYU recorded a season-high 196.425 against Iowa. The Cougars also set season-high scores of 49.050 on vault, 49.225 on bars, 49.050 on beam and 49.200 on floor.

Tied with one other gymnast, Brittni Hawes leads the conference on bars with a 9.950 while Jessie Westergard ties for third after posting a 9.900. Hawes’ score also ties for second-highest in program history. Mackenzie Douglas is tied for second on vault with a 9.875. Jill van Mierlo’s 9.000 on beam yields a share in a second-place tie. Douglas and Shannon Hortman both scored a 9.900 on floor, earning a tie for third place.

The meet will begin at 6 p.m. MDT at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. An online stream and live stats will be available. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or online at www.utahstateaggies.com/tickets.