With a notable first home meet of the season, the No. 9 Oregon State Beavers Gymnastics team dominated No. 22 Brigham Young University, scoring 196.400 to 194.200 in front of a crowd of 6,551 people.
“Each week is different, each meet is different,” head coach Tanya Chaplin stated on the results of this meet from this week following their debut at Orange and Black.
Senior Lauren Letzsch made her return home following her health journey with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome being out for her junior season last year.
“To just kind of stand there and see it filled through the rafters,” Letzsch said, “Take it all in, having that crowd there to support us.”
On the first rotation, the Beavers were up on vault, with senior Natalie Briones receiving a score of 9.750, and a large cheer from the crowd.
BYU senior Melissa Earl had a bail on the first uneven bars routine, finishing to bring in a score of 9.100.
The crowd cheered as senior Jade Carey flipped through the air and finished the vault rotation with a score of 9.900, bringing loud cheers from the crowd.
The team comes to a huddle, “the Beaver bubble,” and they all stand back and breathe, feel the support of one another, and give each other pep talks one rotation after another. That is exactly what the Beavers did moving into their second meet of the season.
“We call it the Beaver bubble, and we try to stay in what we are doing,” Chaplin said.
BYU ended with the highest score of 9.8000 on uneven bars from sophomore Alilah Alvarado.
OSU earned a score of 48.875 on vault, with BYU following close behind with a score of 48.400.
Next, the Beavers were on bars, starting with senior Carley Beeman perfectly sticking the landing, bringing in a score of 9.750.
As Carey performed her routine, the crowd went silent watching and roared as she finished her bar routine with a high score of 9.950 to end the rotation for the Beavs.
BYU saw a high score of 9.775 from freshmen Mya Kirkham and junior Kylie Eaquinto on vault. Their overall score was lowered from a fumbled landing by a few of the BYU gymnasts.
OSU took the second rotation with a score of 49.075 versus BYU with a score of 48.550.
The Beavers began on beam for the third rotation and kicked off the start of the rotation with the song “Die with A Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga echoing through Gill.
Sophomore Sophia Esposito, a seemingly crowd favorite, performed a score of 9.850. The beam routines all had high energy, bringing chants from the crowd throughout, along with passionate song choices.
Carey finished strong for the Beavers, bringing in yet another score of 9.950, following the chants of “10” from the crowd.
OSU also took the third rotation with a score of 49.200 over BYU’s score of 48.650.
Moving onto the fourth and final rotation, the Beavers showcased on the floor.
Senior Sage Thompson moved the crowd in awe with the beginning of her routine with a triple backflip tumble and a perfect landing. She brought in a score of 9.850.
Following her was senior Karlie Chavez bringing a zealous performance for her team, with a score of 9.800.
The Beavs had a strong fourth rotation, with multiple girls bringing in scores over 9.800.
BYU had a decent beam performance, but nothing allowed them to surpass the Beavers’ high lead.
Finishing off the last rotation, Carey brought in a score of 9.950, bringing enthusiasm from the entirety of Gill Coliseum with a standing ovation and claps.
OSU finished their last rotation, with a score of 49.250 to BYU’s final score of 48.600, securing a strong victory for the Beavers for the afternoon.
“I was proud that they really came through in the competition and we saw some growth that way from the first competition to this one,” Chaplin explained, “We are trying to use those exposition spots…to give them as much experience as possible.”
Next week, OSU Gymnastics plays host to the San Jose State Spartans on Friday, January 17, at 7 pm at Gill Coliseum.
