BYU gymnastics: Cougars have meet at Marriott Center vs. Utah and NC State on Friday

PROVO, Utah — The BYU women’s gymnastics team hosts No. 8 Utah as part of the Deseret First Duel, along with North Carolina State, at the Marriott Center on Friday in the final home meet of the 2013 season.

“It’s a different meet because its up in the Marriott Center but that makes it fun and exciting”, head coach Brad Cattermole said. “We always tend to do well up in the Marriott Center so we are excited. This is why you play sports.”

BYU is coming off its top score of the season with a 195.800 last week against Southern Utah. The Cougars posted a season high on floor with a 49.150 and tied the season’s best bars score with a 49.050.

The Red Rocks edged No. 10 Stanford last week with their best score of the season, a 197.300 to Stanford’s 197.075. The Wolfpack of North Carolina State have topped 195 three times and have a season best mark of 195.675.

The Cougars have steadily improved during the season and are heading toward the goal to earn a spot at the NCAA Regional meet with four meets to go.

BYU’s freshmen class has been a boost this year. Several have impressed and improved throughout the season and will have the opportunity to shine on a bigger stage on the floor of the Marriott Center.

“For our freshmen it is like an away meet going up there for the first time so they will be excited,” Cattermole said. “It’s also senior night so we want to do well for our senior girls.”

The tri-meet is set to begin at 7 p.m. MST and will be broadcast live on BYUtv and BYUtvsports.com. Follow live scores on byu.statbroadcast.com.

Kenny is a BYU graduate, currently working as a football media relations assistant and gymnastics SID at BYU. Contact him at cougarpr@byu.edu and follow him on twitter @KennyCoxKC