Broncos Battle Nation’s Best in Season Opener

Saturday, January 14

West Valley City, Utah

3 p.m. MT

Boise State

Washington

Boise State University Athletics, Gymnastics Intrasquad Meet 2022, Photo by Tyler McFarland

Photo by: Boise State University Creation Date:

1/14/2023 7:00:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Boise State gymnastics team scored a 195.050 at the Wasatch Classic against a trio of nationally-ranked competitors in No. 6 UCLA, No. 19 Minnesota and No. 25 Washington, Saturday afternoon at the Maverik Center.

The Broncos' score topped their season-opening performances from both 2021 and 2022. The Bruins took the top spot (197.850), followed by Washington (196.550) and Minnesota (196.325).

Boise State kicked off the afternoon on floor. Junior Courtney Blackson posted the squad's top score with a 9.875, while sophomore Elaina McGovern also eclipsed the 9.800 mark.

Blackson helped lead the charge for the Broncos during the second rotation on vault, scoring a 9.775. However, it was junior Emily Lopez who secured the highest performance for the Blue and Orange, boasting a 9.850.

Lopez and Blackson continued to shine in the team's third rotation on bars. Lopez tied her career-high and garnered the Broncos' highest score of the competition with a 9.950. Blackson's 9.925 shattered her previous top mark of 9.875.

Boise State concluded its competition on beam, earning its highest overall score on an apparatus with a 49.025. For the third-consecutive rotation, Lopez was the Broncos' top gymnast, tying her career-high with a 9.900. Additionally, sophomore Emma Loyim boosted the team's beam total with a career-best 9.875.

Quotables

"I am very pleased that we posted a stronger season-opening score than we did in the last two seasons," said head coach Tina Bird. "I am excited for what the rest of the season holds."
"The beam team is exciting! It can be easy to get rattled while competing beam, but they did exactly what they do in practice and we are going to build on that," said Bird.
"Emily Lopez is a rock star, and Courtney [Blackson] did great, too," said Bird.

Top Broncos

Junior Courtney Blackson was among Boise State's top-two performers in each of her three events.
Blackson's 9.925 on bars marked a career high.
Junior Emily Lopez secured the Broncos' highest score with her 9.950 on bars, tying her career best.
Lopez's 9.900 on beam also tied her career-high mark.
Sophomore Emma Loyim earned a career-high score on beam with a 9.875.

Notables

Junior Emily Lopez was named Boise State's MVP.
Four freshmen made their Boise State debuts in Kylee Hamby, Sydney Kho, Sydney Leitch, Brantley Lucas

What's Next – Boise State hits the road again, traveling to Provo, Utah for its first MRGC matchup of the season against BYU, Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. MT.