Michigan 'Flips For Chip' With Impressive Win Over Southern Utah

Michigan 'Flips For Chip' With Impressive Win Over Southern Utah

Michigan returned home after two weeks on the road, as they hosted Southern Utah for their 'Flip for Chip' meet.

Feb 27, 2017 by Keri Monstrola
Michigan 'Flips For Chip' With Impressive Win Over Southern Utah
After two weeks on the road, the Michigan women's gymnastics team enjoyed a welcome return home to the Crisler Center by posting its second-highest score in school history to beat Southern Utah in Ann Arbor, MI, on Sunday.

In their second annual "Flip for Chip" meet to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer research, the ninth-ranked Wolverines won each event as a team and also swept every individual title to tally a 197.825 -- just .025 shy of the UM record. Olivia Karas​, a sophomore, won the all-around with a 39.60 to help Michigan surpass Southern Utah's 196.60 -- the visiting Thunderbirds' third-highest score ever.

The meet honored Chip Hills, who lost his life to pancreatic cancer prior to last season. Hills was the father of UM student assistant coach Cailee Hills.

Today was bigger than ourselves," Michigan senior Nicole Artz said. "We hope we made Mr. Hills proud.
The Wolverines started out with a solid 49.30 on vault, led by sophomore Emma McLean​​'s 9.95. McLean has become a key contributor on vault by adding another 10.0 start value to the lineup. Following with an impressive 49.55 on bars, Michigan posted four scores above a 9.9, including a team-high 9.95 from Artz.

On beam, Michigan hit six solid routines and was led by senior Talia Chiarelli ​and Karas with a pair of 9.90s. The Wolverines added to their lead over Southern Utah with a 49.375 on beam. Michigan closed out the night with a huge 49.60 on floor, with all gymnasts scoring a 9.90 or better. Artz capped off the rotation with a 9.95 for the Wolverines. Alongside Karas' all-around performance, Artz also impressed with a 39.575.

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The Thunderbirds' 196.60 was their highest road score in program history. The team competed with no all-arounders and saw action from 14 gymnasts who contributed to its success. Tyly Bozzuto was a key contributor for SUU, posting a 9.875 on all three events she competed (vault, beam, and floor).

Southern Utah started strong on bars with a 49.20, led by Madison McBride and Kristen Yee. On vault, the Thunderbirds were able to drop their low score and post a 49.175. SUU moved to floor where it posted its strongest score with a 49.30 and finished on beam with a 48.925.

Full Results Here