The Southern Utah Flippin’ Birds completed the 2026 season with their fourth consecutive conference championship, a third straight MPSF Gymnast of the Year and Freshman of the Year award, and extended their streak to 14 NCAA Regional appearances, according to an April 23 announcement from the program.
This achievement highlights both athletic and academic success for one of college gymnastics’ most consistent teams. More than half of the roster earned Academic All-MPSF honors, underscoring a commitment to excellence in competition and in the classroom.
Southern Utah finished ranked No. 30 nationally while leading their conference on every event. The team posted a season-high score of 196.925 against UC Davis and recorded a floor exercise score of 49.525 versus Washington, marking the second-best in program history. Junior Niya Randolph was named MPSF Gymnast of the Year for her third consecutive season after achieving a program-record score on floor, while freshman Berlin Hall received MPSF Freshman of the Year recognition after earning six weekly honors.
Head coach Scotty Bauman said, “This team had a lot of heart and a lot of soul. They wanted to be great so bad, and sometimes they tried a little too hard. What we learned is that we’ve got to help them compete with the same calm, confident focus they have in practice.” Bauman described an early turning point at Oregon State: “That was a turning point… After that, they knew they could compete with anybody.” Despite injuries forcing lineup changes—including losing all-arounder Brinley Christensen before competition began—Bauman said his athletes continued to perform at a high level: “There was a lot this team had to overcome… But even with everything, they could go out there and beat just about anybody.”
In postseason action at NCAA Regionals, Southern Utah advanced to round two and delivered strong performances on beam against Georgia, BYU, and Michigan State. Bauman said he was pleased with how his team finished: “To see them fight back and finish the way they did, that says everything about who they are.” Looking ahead as SUU moves into PAC-12 competition next year with much of its roster returning from injury or rehabilitation periods—and following four straight conference titles—Bauman concluded: “This team knows how good they are now… And that’s what makes them dangerous.”
