BYU Gymnast Turns Love Of ‘Super Mario’ Into 9.90 Floor Routine

PROVO, Utah – Shannon Hortman-Evans, a gymnast for Brigham Young University, loves Super Mario Bros. and claimed she has beaten the game a few times. She turned that love into a high-scoring floor routine during BYU’s loss to the University of Utah in this weekend’s meet.

The video of her routine is going viral. Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports and Deadspin are a few national outlets who took notice of the classic video-game inspired showcase.

During the routine, you can see Hortman-Evans driving what seems to be a “Mario Kart,” collecting coins and even losing a life in the underworld. 

Shannon Evans scores a 9.900 with a fun Mario themed floor routine #BYUgym #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/sZ6b3Dkud4

— BYUtv Sports (@byutvsports) January 12, 2019

According to the commentator in the video posted to BYUtv Sports on Twitter, Hortman-Evans is a crowd favorite for BYU.

“Evans doesn’t only dance during her floor routines. She acts,” said the commentator.  

I am obsessed with Shannon’s Mario floor routine. @BYUgymnastics

— Krysten Koval (@krysten_kov) January 12, 2019

Pop-culture Inspiration

This isn’t the first time Hortman-Evans has drawn on pop-culture to inspire her routines. Last year against the Utes she performed a shark attack themed routine featuring music from the Beach Boys, Hawaii 5-0 and, of course, Jaws. That routine scored a 9.800.

The Rivalry and The Results

This weekend’s meet was the 100th time the teams have matched up. The University of Utah has dominated the series with 97 wins.

Although BYU lost the meet by 0.775, they set a school record with their highest ever recorded score in an opening match with a 196.475.

The University of Utah Red Rocks are ranked number four in the nation following this weekend’s meet where they ended with a score of 197.250.

Relive the Red Rocks beating the cougars for the 98th time in school history! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/iBiDc8Ygkq

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) January 12, 2019

You can find the Cougars Gymnastics team facing off against Utah State on January 18 in Logan, Utah.

The University of Utah Red Rocks will take on Oregon State on January 19 in Oregon.