LOGAN, Utah – Elle Golison still can't come to grips that her collegiate gymnastic career is really over.
 
"I am honestly still in disbelief that it's really over," she said. "Not only was it the remainder of the season, but the end of my career. I have done the sport my entire life and it was definitely a punch to the gut when the season was canceled. However, everything that we accomplished this season is amazing."
 
Golison and the Aggies, who were enjoying one of their best seasons in school history, were set to compete at No. 4 Utah on March 13, but that meet was ultimately canceled, as was the remainder of the season, due to the novel coronavirus.
 
"It was definitely a shock and I was in disbelief that our season was over," Golison said. "Our team was doing so well and we still had more in us. This team had a great shot at winning the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championships and having a very competitive regional meet. Even though I'm sad our season was cut short, I was thrilled to have ended my career at home with senior night."
 
What a night that proved to be for Golison and the rest of the Aggies.
 
In what proved to be their final meet of the season, the Aggies defeated No. 17 BYU 196.600-196.450 on March 6, in front of 1,232 fans at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. With the win, Utah State capped a perfect 4-0 record at home in 2019, marking just the second time in school history USU has accomplished that feat, joining the 1978 (8-0) team.
 
The win snapped a nine-meet losing streak to the Cougars dating back to the 2017 campaign. Furthermore, Utah State's 196.600 was the Aggies' second-highest score of the season. It also ranks fourth all-time in school history and second all-time for a home meet.
 
Golison competed on both vault and floor, notching season-high scores of 9.775 and 9.800, respectively.
 
"I am so happy Elle was able to compete on senior night and get the closure she deserved," said third-year Utah State head coach Amy Smith. "It was so great to see her bring back her double layout, as well as laying out her Kaz on vault for senior night."
 
Golison was in the sixth spot in the lineup on floor and her 9.800 helped Utah State record a 49.225 on the event as a team.
 
"I am so happy that I got to end my gymnastics career on such a great note," Golison said. "Senior night was truly unforgettable. Not only did we beat BYU, but our team made school history. I am so thankful that I got to celebrate senior night, and compete one last time in the Spectrum with my team.
 
"My mindset going into senior night was to just go out and have fun one last time in the Spectrum and enjoy every moment. I was so excited to have a great time with my team and leave everything out on the floor. It was amazing having the special recognition after the meet with the coaches, the team and our families."
 
Golison ends her Aggie career by ranking 14th all-time in school history with a single-season beam average of 9.770, which she set as a freshman in 2017. She is also tied for the eighth-best vault score at an NCAA Regional Championships with a 9.800 (Seattle, April 1, 2017).
 
As a freshman in 2017, Golison earned first-team all-MRGC honors after tying for third on vault with a 9.800 at the league championships.
 
"She really helped the team get stronger through her experience and her time here," Smith said. "She helped by really pushing the lineups on vault and floor, and just brought a very high energy to the team.
 
"I'll remember Elle as being a high-energy and natural performer, and just a very powerful and dynamic gymnast."
 
Golison helped Utah State finished with a 7-6-1 overall record in 2020, marking the first time since 1999 that USU ended the season with a winning record. Not bad when you consider the Aggies, at one point, were 1-6 following the first four meets of the season.
 
"This season meant a lot to me," Golison said. "I have struggled with multiple injuries and was unsure if I was going to make it through the season. I feel so fortunate that I was able to compete my senior year with such a talented, hard-working team. We made huge improvements throughout the entire season.
 
"I feel that this year was the strongest team that I've had the opportunity to work with. It was a pleasure to watch this team grow physically and mentally, and improve each meet. I am so thankful to have ended my career with this team and coaches."
 
The daughter of Jay and Jackie Golison is on track to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in integrated studies and a minor in multimedia development.
 
Outside of gymnastics and school, Golison enjoys anything to do with photography and videography, as well as dogs.
 
Once she receives her degree from Utah State, Golison plans on furthering her education to learn more about interior design and staging homes. On top of that, she also plans on coaching club gymnastics and doing all aspects of photography and videography.
 
"There are so many different things that I will remember and cherish about my time at Utah State," Golison said. "What I will most remember, though, is all of the amazing people that I've met and the people that have had an impact on making me the person that I am today. I've made many life-long friendships that I'm so grateful for, and all of the fun memories made."
 
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