Blackson Achieves Perfection at NCAA Regional Championships

Thursday, March 30

Los Angeles, Calif.

8 p.m. MT

Boise State

Stanford (Second Round)

Courtney Blackson poses with a 10 score sign at the NCAA Regional Championships

Blackson Achieves Perfection at NCAA Regional Championships

3/31/2023 12:30:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics

LOS ANGELES – Junior Courtney Blackson scored a 10.000 on vault during the second round of the 2023 NCAA Regional Championships, Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion.

It marked the first perfect score by a Bronco at a regional competition in program history, the fourth 10.000 on vault in Boise State history and the sixth mark of perfection all-time for the Blue and Orange.

Blackson joins junior Emily Lopez as the second Bronco to achieve a perfect score in 2023. It is the first time Boise State has had multiple 10.000 in a single season.

Boise State experienced its most success as a team during its second rotation on bars. Three-consecutive career-best performances in redshirt sophomore Dani Nakayama (9.750), senior Erin Morden (9.850) and sophomore Elaina McGovern (9.850) started off the rotation.

Blackson and Lopez closed out the event, registering marks of 9.900 and 9.950, respectively. Lopez's score tied for the highest in program history by a Bronco at a regional meet, and the best mark at regionals since Kelsey Morris' 9.950 in 2014. The powerhouse duo led Boise State to an event total of 49.300, tying for the second-highest team score on bars at a regional competition all-time.

The Broncos concluded the night on floor. Blackson recorded a 9.900, tied for the highest score on floor in program history at a regional meet. It was also the best floor performance by a Bronco at regionals since Ciera Perkins in 2014.

Quotables

"It was not a perfect second-day meet, but it was one with so many things to be proud of. Courtney's perfect 10 on vault was such an amazing feat, and to do it at a regional championship meet just adds another layer. We are so proud of her." -head coach Tina Bird
"Emily Lopez's 9.950-bar routine was outstanding, and having Emily hit vault and beam again tonight just shows you why we call her 'steady Emmy.' She hit all six of her routines over both days." -Bird
"Alyssa hit six-for-six routines this week. She has been getting better and better all season and it's awesome to see her hit 100% on both days in a high-pressure situation. I can't wait to see what she'll do next season." -Bird
"Erin Morden hit bar routines back-to-back this week and brought tears to my eyes. She has come so far and to see her score for her team in her senior year is so rewarding." -Bird

Top Broncos

Junior Courtney Blackson scored a 9.900 or better in each of the three events she competed – vault (10.000), bars (9.900) and floor (9.900).
Freshman Sydney Kho tied her career-best vault with a 9.750 to start off the night.
Junior Emily Lopez was among Boise State's top-two gymnasts in each of her three events.

Notables

Junior Courtney Blackson scored the lone 10.000 of session two and the second perfect score on vault from round two in Los Angeles. She joined Utah's Jaedyn Rucker from session one atop the podium.
Boise State's 49.300 on bars marked the second-highest team score on the apparatus at a regional competition in program history. It was also a season best.
The Broncos' beam team tied the second-best mark at a regional competition in school history with its 49.150.