BYU edged out by Central Michigan

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – BYU women’s gymnastics scored a 193.575 to finish close behind Central Michigan’s 194.775 Friday night at the McGuirk Arena.

“It wasn’t the performance we wanted,” head coach Guard Young said. “You can’t go on the road, have three falls and win, but we did improve on our sticks.”

The Cougars started off strong on bars in their first rotation. Jill Van Mierlo led the team with a season-high 9.775. Freshman Savanna Maradiaga and sophomore Mackenzie Douglas both followed close behind to add scores of 9.725. The Cougars ended the rotation leading the Chippewas 48.600-48.375, which would also be their highest scoring rotation of the night.

In the second rotation, Douglas scored a 9.775, tying her for first place on vault with Central Michigan’s Karlee Teet. Makenzie Johnson Halliday added a 9.750 and Van Mierlo a 9.700 to bring the Cougars to a running total of 97.175, trailing the Chippewas’ 97.300 lead.

“I was really proud of the last three girls on floor,” Young said. “We started off rough, but they really rallied in the second half of the line up.”

Senior Emily Vidmar notched a team-high 9.800 on floor for the Cougars. Van Mierlo and Sin To chipped in scores of 9.775 and 9.725, respectively. BYU finished the third rotation behind Central Michigan 145.125-146.050.

The Cougars ended on the balance beam with Halliday scoring a 9.800, while Vidmar added a 9.725. Mikaela Jones also brought in a 9.700, but it wasn’t enough to top the Chippewas.

“Jill was our all-around and she did great,” Young said. “She was last up on bars and when we needed a hit, she really came through. On floor it was a new routine for her and she did it the best I’ve ever seen.”

Van Mierlo came in second in the all-around with a 38.825 and placed fourth on bars overall. Douglas tied for first on vault with a 9.775, while Halliday tied for third on vault with 9.750 and tied for second on beam with a 9.800.

BYU returns home next week for its first home meet of the season as it hosts UC Davis and Boise State in the Smith Fieldhouse. The meet begins at 7 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on BYUtv.