Broncos Advance in Record-Breaking Fashion, Top BYU in Round One of Regional Competition

Wednesday, March 29

Los Angeles, Calif.

3 p.m.

Boise State

BYU (First Round)

The Boise State gymnastics team poses for a picture at the NCAA Regional Championships Meet

Broncos Advance in Record-Breaking Fashion, Top BYU in Round One of Regional Competition

3/29/2023 7:30:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

LOS ANGELES – The Boise State gymnastics team secured its spot in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Regional Championships, defeating BYU, 196.700-196.125, Wednesday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.

The Broncos' score marked the highest first-round total at an NCAA regional competition since the current format was adopted in 2019. Boise State also became the first team to record above a 49.000 in all four events in a first-round dual meet.

With a .200 edge over the Cougars heading into the fourth and final rotation, the Broncos posted a 49.425 on beam – the highest round-one event score in history since the current regional format commenced – to secure the victory.

Senior Adriana Popp led the way on beam, scoring a Boise State regional-record 9.925. Sophomore Alyssa Vulaj delivered a career-high 9.900 to kick off the rotation for the Broncos, and junior Emily Lopez matched that mark. The pair's score tied for the second-best performance at a regional competition for the Broncos. Senior Talia Little and sophomore Emma Loyim rounded out Boise State's beam total, earning 9.850.

Strong bar routines by junior duo Courtney Blackson and Lopez helped the Broncos jump out to an early lead after just one rotation. Blackson earned a 9.875 while Lopez garnered a 9.900, tied for the second-highest mark on bars by a Bronco in regional history.

For a second-consecutive rotation on vault, it was Blackson and Lopez who were among Boise State's top performers, in addition to Vulaj. The trio led the team to a score of 49.225, the Broncos' third-highest vault total at a regional competition.

With a 9.950, Blackson matched the second-best vault score by a Boise State gymnast at a regional meet, and she also tied her career-best mark. Vulaj earned a 9.900 on the apparatus, tied for the sixth-best performance by a Blue and Orange gymnast in regional history. Lopez registered a 9.850.

Entering the third rotation, the Broncos led the Cougars, 98.250-97.950. On floor, Blackson and sophomore Elaina McGovern both achieved a score of 9.850, leading Boise State to its ninth-best floor score at a regional competition.

Quotables

"I could not be prouder of this team. We had so much fun today! They let loose and performed at the level they are capable of." -head coach Tina Bird
"Emily [Lopez], Courtney [Blackson] and [Adriana] Popp were superstars today and their performances elevated the entire team." -Bird
"We can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow!" -Bird

Top Broncos

Junior Courtney Blackson matched the second-best vault score by a Boise State gymnast at a regional meet with her 9.950. She also tied her career-best mark.
Junior Emily Lopez posted a 9.900 on bars, tied for the second-highest mark by a Bronco in regional history.
Senior Adriana Popp achieved a Boise State regional-competition-record 9.925 on beam.
Sophomore Alyssa Vulaj's 9.900 on vault tied the sixth-best performance all-time by a Bronco on the apparatus at a regional meet.
Lopez and Vulaj's 9.900 tied the second-best performances on beam at a regional competition for the Broncos.

Vulaj's beam score was a career high.

Notables

Boise State's 196.700 marked the highest first-round total at an NCAA regional competition since the current format was adopted in 2019.
The Broncos became the first team to record above a 49.000 on all four events in a first-round dual meet at the NCAA regional level.
With its mark of 49.425, Boise State posted the highest round-one event score in history since the new regional format commenced.
The Broncos' bars total (49.025) is the ninth best in program history in a regional competition.
The team tallied a score of 49.225 on vault, the third-highest vault score in regional history.
Boise State achieved the ninth-best performance on floor in program history at a regional competition with its score of 49.025.

What's Next

With Wednesday's victory, the Broncos advanced to the second round of regional competition. Boise State will meet No. 4 UCLA, No. 13 Missouri and Stanford, Thursday, March 30 at 8 p.m. MT.

Blackson and Lopez will also compete as individual event specialists during the second round of competition. Blackson is scheduled to perform on vault, bars and floor, while Lopez is set for routines of both vault and bars.