SUU gymnastics: Thunderbirds vault past Fullerton

CEDAR CITY — Southern Utah's gymnastics team scored the second-highest team score in school history and a 2010 season-high in a 196.350 to 192.675 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Friday night.

The evening also featured a school record in the all-around, as Elise Wheeler tied or captured each individual title en route to a 39.575 in the all-around.

"Each of the girls looked awesome and performed with a great deal of confidence tonight," head coach Scott Bauman said. "They did a great job of making hard gymnastics look really easy."

SUU scored in the 49s on each event during the night, beginning the meet with a 49.025 on vault as Thunderbird gymnasts swept five of the six top places. Wheeler led the way with a 9.850, tying CSF's Alaina Baker on the event, but was followed by Melissa Johnson (9.825), Lindsey Schultz (9.800), Caitlin Kennedy (9.775) and Bailey Baker (9.775).

Southern Utah continued to fill the top spots on bars as Wheeler (9.925), Johnson (9.825), Lauren Jeffrey (9.825) and Ari Lamb (9.750) finished first through fourth on the event. The top three marks each set or tied career-best scores for Wheeler, Johnson and Jeffrey, respectively, and also set a school record in Wheeler's case.

Wheeler (9.900), Lamb (9.800) and Kennedy (9.775) were joined by freshman Alyssa Click (9.775) as the quartet finished in the top four spots on beam. The Thunderbirds rounded out the team score on the event with a 9.750 from Johnson to narrowly miss a season-high mark of 49.075 with a team score of 49.000.

In the final rotation, Wheeler shared the top spot on the podium with Baker as the senior duo scored matching 9.900's on floor, setting a new career-best mark for Baker. Shannon Coughlin (9.875) and Click (9.825) continued the trend of 'Birds at the top of the standings as Southern Utah recorded the top six of seven marks on the event. Jeffrey's 9.800 led to a total score of 49.275, again narrowly off the team's season high of 49.300.

Wheeler secured her second school record of the night with a 39.575 in the all-around to finish first as Fullerton's Baker finished in second place with a total of 38.975.

Southern Utah will close out its regular season on Monday night when the Thunderbirds host Brigham Young University on Senior Night. The competition will mark the final home contest for seniors Elise Wheeler, Lindsey Schultz, Bailey Baker and Melissa Johnson. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Centrum Arena.