CORVALLIS, Oregon -- (January 13, 2006) In what could prove to be its toughest meet of the year, the BYU Women's Gymnastics team opened its season by placing third with a score of 190.075 Friday night in Corvallis.

No. 1-ranked Florida (193.575) won the four team meet with Oregon State (192.200) second and Iowa (188.050) fourth.

BYU had some opening meet jitters, struggling early on floor and late on beam, usually one of its best events.

The Cougars turned in a good night on vault though, finishing second. Dayna Smart led the way with a 9.750, tying her for fourth place. Florida's Ashley Reed won the event with a 9.800.

Aimee Walker Pond led a close pack of Cougars on bars with a 9.725. Right behind Pond was Kacie Capra (9.700) and Kylee Draper (9.675). Sheri Owens of Florida and Chrissy Lamun of Oregon State tied for first at 9.825. Florida won the event with a 48.850.

Kandis Kelly had a good showing on beam, placing fourth with a 9.625.

Tasha Smith of Oregon State placed first on floor on her way to capturing the all-around with a 38.800. Capra finished fifth at 37.975.

BYU will look to improve next weekend when they travel to Logan to take on in-state rival Utah State Friday at 6:30 p.m.

TEAM RESULTS
1. Florida      193.575
2. Oregon St.   192.200
3. BYU          190.075
4. Iowa         188.050
INDIVIDUAL VAULT RESULTS
1. Tiffany Murry       Florida     9.800
1. Ashley Reed         Florida     9.800
3. Jami Lanz           Oregon St.  9.775
4. Dayna Smart         BYU         9.750
OTHER COUGARS
11. Aimee Walker-Pond              9.675
12. Sierra Jacobs                  9.650
INDIVIDUAL BARS RESULTS
1. Sherie Owens        Florida     9.825
1. Chrissy Lamun       Oregon St.  9.825
3. Corey Hartung       Florida     9.800
8. Aimee Walker-Pond   BYU         9.725
OTHER COUGARS
12. Kacie Capra                    9.700
13. Kylee Draper                   9.675
INDIVIDUAL BEAM RESULTS
1. Corey Hartung       Florida     9.775
2. Claire Pierce       Oregon St.  9.700
3. Kortny Williamson   Iowa        9.675
4. Kandis Kelly        BYU         9.650
OTHER COUGARS
7. Lisa Willis                     9.450
INDIVIDUAL FLOOR RESULTS
1. Tasha Smith         Oregon St.  9.825
2. Jami Lunz           Oregon St.  9.800
2. Angela Morales      Oregon St.  9.800
11. Kacie Capra        BYU         9.625
INDIVIDUAL ALL-AROUND RESULTS
1. Tasha Smith         Oregon St.  38.800
2. Liz Grajewski       Iowa        38.375
3. Breanne King        Florida     38.350
5. Kacie Capra         BYU         37.975

The BYU women's gymnastics team opens up its season Friday at Oregon State in what shapes up to be one of the Cougars' biggest tests of the season despite being just their first meet.

The meet will include two teams besides BYU and Oregon State as Florida and Iowa will also be competing. Oregon State and Florida were ranked 13th and sixth, respectively, in the preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll while BYU was 19th and Iowa was among those receiving votes.

"Those are three great teams. It's going to be extremely tough. They are phenomenally talented. You've got to be on your best game if you want to beat them," Coach Brad Cattermole said. "If we handle it well mentally, we should do okay."

Cattermole will depend heavily on junior Kacie Capra in the All-Around, who finished eighth overall at the North Central Regional last season. Sophomore Dayna Smart will be looked at to score well on vault and beam while freshman Hayley Jensen will also debut in the All-Around.

Oregon State and Florida have already begun their seasons. Oregon State opened up by finishing second at the Hawaiian Classic behind national-power UCLA while Florida received the highest score in the nation (195.90) up to this point in its win over Illinois.

Start time for the meet will be 7 p.m. with a live stats feed available on the schedule page of the BYU Women's Gymnastics homepage at www.byucougars.com.