Meet Results

PROVO, Utah - Sophomore Madison Ward captured two more event titles on the young season as Utah State opened its Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference campaign with a thrilling 195.300-195.200 victory over in-state rival BYU on Friday night at the Smith Fieldhouse.

"It was a nail-biter in the sense that we knew we had to continue to win all of our routines, because we couldn't control what the other team was doing and we couldn't control what the judges were doing," said fourth-year head coach Nadalie Walsh. "Our girls just needed to go out and try to win every routine that they did and hope for the best at the end. I'm really pleased with the girls and the better the Aggies become as a team, the more they're going to be able to handle this kind of pressure.

"There were definitely a lot of scores that I didn't like and some things we have to fix starting next week, but I'm really proud of my team. I couldn't have asked for a better ending to a great meet."

Ward led the way for the Aggies (4-1, 1-0 MRGC) as she won the floor competition for the third straight meet, this time with a career-best 9.900.

"I'm super proud of my team and how well we did and how well we finished out the meet," said Ward, who also tied for first on bars with a personal-best 9.825. "I'm happier for my team than myself. I was so excited and just wanted to go out and do my best. I was very happy with getting a 9.9."

So was Walsh.

"What can you say about Madi Ward?" Walsh said. "She tumbles high, she makes everybody smile she is a phenomenal athlete and she is going to continue to get the recognition that she deserves."

With the win, Utah State picked up its 499th victory in program history. Furthermore, the Aggies improved to 155-165-1 all-time in dual meets.

Senior Hayley Sanzotti closed the meet for Utah State, which led after each rotation, by recording a 9.800 on beam to win the event title.

Freshman Elle Golison continued her steady start to the season as she tied for third on vault with a career-high 9.775, tied for second on beam with a 9.775 and tied for second on floor with a personal-best 9.850.

"It was super fun and super exciting," Golison said. "I was so happy the team went out there and had a great time. We just did what we did in practice and gave it our all. We went out there and did our best. I knew whatever happened in the end, I'd be happy because my team just went out there and did what we were supposed to do."

Utah State finished second on vault (48.725), first on bars (season-high 48.950), first on beam (48.825) and second on floor (48.800).

The Aggies began the meet on bars, where two Aggies recorded career highs, including Ward, who tied for first on the event with her 9.825. Freshman Jazmyn Estrella also notched a career best with a 9.675.

Moving to vault in the second rotation, Golison and senior Katie Brown each recorded a 9.775 to tie for third. For Golison, it was a personal best. Estrella also notched a career high with a 9.750 to tie for fifth.

Utah State competed on floor in the third rotation. Golison and Ward closed the event for the Aggies with their 9.850 and 9.900 scores, respectively.

"I knew we needed a few good scores to come out on top and I was glad that we both got us there," Golison said.

While Sanzotti won the beam title with the Aggies' last routine of the night, senior Bailey McIntire and freshman Emily Briones all tied for second with scores of 9.775.

"We're all so excited because we were holding our breath seeing who was going to win because it was so close," Ward said. "I'm just super proud of them. I was squeezing Emily's shoulders and was like, `Come on beam team.' It was under pressure, but everyone held it together really nicely."

Freshman Shannon Hortman won the all-around for the Cougars (2-3, 0-1).

Utah State remains on the road next weekend, traveling to the east coast to face New Hampshire on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. (MT) in Durham, N.H.

The 2017 MRGC Championships will be hosted by Utah State on Saturday, March 18, at 6 p.m. For ticket information, contact the USU Ticket Office by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or online at www.utahstateaggies.com/tickets.

Fans can follow the Aggie gymnastics program at twitter.com/USUGymnastics, on Facebook at Utah State Gymnastics, and on Instagram at USUGymnastics. Fans can also follow the USU athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at UtahStateAthletics.

Utah State at BYU - Provo, Utah - Smith Fieldhouse - Jan. 20, 2017
Team Results: 1. Utah State - 195.300 (vault: 48.725, bars: 48.950, beam: 48.825, floor: 48.800); 2. BYU - 195.200 (vault: 48.750, bars: 48.825, beam: 48.575, floor: 49.050).

Vault: 1. Cheyenne Hill - BYU, 9.825; 2. Angel Zhong - BYU, 9.800; T-3. Katie Brown - USU, 9.775; T-3. Elle Golison - USU, 9.775; T-5. Jazmyn Estrella - USU, 9.750; T-5. Lauren Love - BYU, 9.750; T-5. Mackenzie Douglas - BYU, 9.750; 8. Miranda Hone - USU. 9.725; 9. Madison Ward - USU, 9.700; 10. MaKayla Bullitt - USU, 9.675; 11. Hannah Miller - BYU, 9.625; 12. Shannon Hortman - BYU, 9.175.

Bars: T-1. Madison Ward - USU, 9.825; T-1. Shannon Hortman - BYU, 9.825; T-1. Jill Van Mierlo - BYU, 9.825; T-4. Bailey McIntire - USU, 9.800; T-4. Keri Peel - USU, 9.800; T-4. Natasha Trejo - BYU, 9.800; T-7. Melanie Oster - USU, 9.775; T-7. Mackenzie Douglas - BYU, 9.775; 9. Miranda Hone - USU, 9.750; 10. Jazmyn Estrella - USU, 9.675; 11. Marielle Mitchell - BYU, 9.600; 12. Brittni Hawes - BYU, 8.675.

Beam: 1. Hayley Sanzotti - USU, 9.800; T-2. Bailey McIntire - USU, 9.775; T-2. Elle Golison - USU, 9.775; T-2. Emily Briones - USU, 9.775; T-2. Hannah Miller - BYU, 9.775; 6. Savanna Maradiaga - BYU, 9.750; 7. Briana Pearson - BYU, 9.725; T-8. Keri Peel - USU, 9.700; T-8. Jill Van Mierlo - BYU, 9.700; 10. Natasha Trejo - BYU, 9.625; 11. Shannon Hortman - BYU, 9.600; 12. Melanie Oster - USU, 9.525.

Floor: 1. Madison Ward - USU, 9.900; T-2. Elle Golison - USU, 9.850; T-2. Briana Pearson - BYU, 9.850; T-4. Jill Van Mierlo - BYU, 9.825; T-4. Shannon Hortman - BYU, 9.825; T-6. Hayley Sanzotti - USU, 9.775; T-6. Erin Hilton - BYU 9.775; T-6. Natasha Trejo - BYU, 9.775; 9. Mackenzie Douglas - BYU, 9.750; 10. Keri Peel - USU, 9.725; 11. Jazmyn Estrella - USU, 9.550; 12. Bailey McIntire - USU, 9.525.

All-Around: 1. Shannon Hortman - BYU, 38.425.