BYU drops close meet against Utah State

PROVO, Utah – Makenzie Johnson Halliday led the Cougars in a close loss to in-state rival and MRGC opponent Utah State Friday night at the Smith Fieldhouse. BYU dropped the meet to the Aggies by a score of 195.475-195.150.

“There were some great performances tonight,” BYU head coach Guard Young said. "Makenzie is a rockstar and did a full twisting double back on the floor for the first time in her career to seal her all-around victory. She really did awesome today and elevated herself above her peers."

Halliday’s performances won the all-around for the Cougars by a score of 39.225-39.050. Halliday also took second on vault and first on beam and floor. Éliane Kulczyk took home the independent title on the bars with a 9.850, her personal best this season, while Emily Vidmar and Jill Van Mierlo tied for third with scores of 9.775. Mikaela Jones and Vidmar also tied for third on beam overall with a 9.825. Mackenzie Douglas tied for first with Halliday on floor and Vidmar placed third with a 9.850.

BYU started off the first rotation on vault with Halliday leading the way with a 9.800, followed by Cheyenne Hill and Douglas, who both scored a 9.725. At the end of the rotation, the Aggies led the Cougars 48.775-48.625.

On the uneven bars, Kulczyk posted a season high 9.850 to lead the Cougars. Vidmar and Van Mierlo followed close behind, tying at 9.775. Brittni Wilde notched a 9.750, but it wasn't enough to take the lead. BYU trailed Utah State 97.725-97.450.

In the third rotation, the Cougars totaled a 48.975 on beam, their highest scoring event of the night. Halliday led the team on the beam, posting a top score of 9.875. Vidmar and Jones also contributed scores of 9.825 in the event, but the Aggies held their lead 146.575-146.325 going into the final rotation.

In the last event of the night, Halliday and Douglas both earned a season-high score of 9.875 on floor. The score was also a career-high in the event for Douglas. Vidmar followed closely, posting a season-high 9.850. However, with solid performances by the Aggies on beam, the Cougars could not grasp first place.

BYU will host its final home meet of the season next week against Southern Utah on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. MST at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo.