Cougars Have Best Night of the Season

PROVO -- In their best night of the season, BYU defeated in-state rival USU with a season best 196.425-195.100.

"We've been lapsing in confidence and we'll get a little nutty," said head coach Brad Cattermole. "But tonight we were a little more relaxed and we competed and did just fine."

The Cougar's scores tonight were more than just fine, they were outstanding. The all-around competition gives a glimpse of what the night was like. Jaime Mabray (39.475), Marie-Helene Claveau (39.375), and Kacie Capra (39.300) took the top three spots and all had season highs. This was Claveau's first all-around night after a four-meet hiatus from bars with a sore shoulder.

Starting on vault, the Cougar's strongest event, BYU had another great night. The Cougar's finished in the top five spots led by Dayna Smart (9.850), Alethea Boon (9.825) and Jaime Mabray (9.825). Smart tied her career high and Capra took away a career high for the night. BYU finished with a high 49.125 that set up a lead over USU early on. The Aggies scored a 48.525 on vault.

Moving to bars, usually the weakest event, the Cougar's stunned the crowd with five solid performances. BYU ended up with a season high 49.150, beating their vault score. This time the Cougar's finished in the top four spots with Kacie Capra (9.900) taking first, followed by freshman Cassie Myers (9.875) and Marie-Helene Claveau (9.850). Claveau had a season high and Myers and Capra both had career highs. USU finished with 48.950.

Forging ahead the Cougars had their best event of the night on beam. Their 49.500 team score was a season best and earned a third place record in BYU gymnastic history. Utah State didn't have a chance as BYU grabbed all top six spots. Senior Jaime Mabray with a season high 9.95 finished first. Smart (9.900) and Capra (9.900) tied for second while Kandis Kelly and Claveau tied for fourth (9.875). Capra and Smart tied their career highs and Candace Bauer score a new career high (9.850). For the Aggies, Katie Rutherford had a season high with 9.825 and Jessica Parenti tied her season high with 9.850. USU finished with 48.975.

On their last event of the night, the Cougars faltered only slightly. They had a strong 48.650 but had to count a fall on floor. Coach Cattermole could not remember a time in the last seven years that the Cougars had to count a fall on floor. BYU managed to still take the top three spots with Jamie Mabray once again leading (9.875). Alethea Boon in here fourth time on floor took second (9.850), and Kacie Capra once again rounded out the top three with 9.85.

"I've been proud all year long," said Cattermole. "I was very pleased with our effort tonight."

Following this solid performance the Cougars only have one day to rest and that will be on the road. The Cougars leave tomorrow morning for Central Michigan. BYU and CMU will compete Saturday, March 12, 2004 at 2 p.m. ET in Rose arena.