Flippin’ Birds Soar To Victory Against Penn State: A Night Of Record-Breaking Achievements

In a thrilling matchup against Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, the Southern Utah University gymnastics team, known as the Flippin' Birds, soared to victory on Senior Night. The Thunderbirds clinched an impressive win with a total score of 196.850, while Penn State also delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 196.525.

Breaking records seemed to be the theme of the night for Southern Utah. They set a new program record during the bars rotation, achieving an impressive score of 49.475. Sophomore Trista Goodman shined, earning a first-place finish on the bars with a career-high score of 9.950, tying for the second-best score in program history. Junior Ellie Cacciola matched this excellence with a remarkable 9.950 on the beam, tying her career-high and securing first place in the meet. Freshman Niya Randolph also made a significant impact, finishing second in the all-around with an exceptional score of 39.450.

Head Coach Scotty Bauman praised his team's performance, highlighting their resilience and determination. He emphasized the importance of sending off the seniors with such a strong showing, expressing pride in their performance on the last home meet of the season.

The Flippin' Birds showcased their skills across all rotations. From a strong start on the vault led by Cacciola and Randolph to the record-breaking bars performance featuring standout routines from Goodman and Christensen, the team demonstrated their depth and talent. Even with minor setbacks, such as McClain's performance on the beam, the Thunderbirds maintained their momentum, finishing strong on the floor with standout routines from Fernandez, Cacciola, and Randolph.

Looking ahead, the Flippin' Birds are set to take on a quad meet hosted by the University of Washington on March 15, facing off against Washington, BYU, and Sacramento State. With their recent success and determination, Southern Utah University's gymnastics team is poised to continue their winning streak as they compete on the road.