BYU NewsNet - Former Cougar Gymnast to Face Old Team

By Lisa Harding

The BYU women's gymnastics team comes home to perform in front of their own fans tonight as they take on Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in a duel meet at 7 p.m.

The meet will be held in the Smith Fieldhouse and the gymnasts will be donning pink leotards.

"It is always fun to have a home meet," said senior Dayna Smart-Allen. "This one is special because we get to wear pink leotards for breast cancer awareness."

BYU is coming off a season-high score of 194.925 against Oregon State, and the Cougars look to build upon that success as they return to their home equipment.

The night has an added element of excitement because it marks the homecoming of Cougar gymnastics Brogan Jacobsen-Evanson. Jacobsen-Evanson competed for the Cougars from 2001 to 2004 and now returns as an assistant coach for the SEMO Redhawks. The former BYU gymnast is best remembered for her 2003 floor performance that earned her a 10.0, one of only four BYU athletes to ever earn a perfect score.

"I miss competing so much and I really had the time of my life as an athlete for BYU," said Jacobsen-Evanson. "This is where college gymnastics started for me and there is just no better place to be. It is like coming home."

Jacobsen-Evanson was also a two-time team captain during her stint with the Cougars and left an indelible mark on many of the current gymnasts on the BYU team.

"We were really close," said Smart-Allen of her former teammate. "I am excited that Brogan is having so much success as a college coach. I know that this is something that she has always wanted to do, and she is very good at it."

The Redhawks have enjoyed a successful season thus far and carry a 193.440 average into the meet, just higher than BYU's current average of 193.425.

"SEMO is having a good season, and they will be tough to beat," BYU head coach Brad Cattermole said in a press release. "If we perform like we did in Oregon we will be in good shape."

As Jacobsen-Evanson comes back to reminisce, senior Smart-Allen will be looking to seal in some final memories of her own.

"I know that these are some of the last meets I will ever compete in, but I want to make each meet the best experience I can," she said. "I want to perform my best and have as much fun as I can out there on the floor just like all the others."

Tonight's meet marks the second time the two teams have faced off in competition. During their first outing in 2007, the Cougars finished on top with a 193.925-190.600 against the Redhawks.

"I know that our last performance has given us a lot of confidence," said Smart-Allen. "We are all excited for this meet and ready to experience even more success."