TUCSON, Ariz. – The No. 18 Wildcats were unable to take down Pac-12 rival No. 5 Utah after each team posted season high scores. Despite the strong effort, Arizona fell 197.850-196.375 Saturday evening in McKale.
To begin the night the Wildcats started on vault. They ended the first rotation with a score of 49.075, a new season high for the team.
“That was our first 49 on vault of the season,” said head coach Bill Ryden. “Although we have some obvious holes, we are getting a lot better. Getting a 49 in the first event was great for us because we needed to be in our own bubble tonight. Utah is a great team but we needed to be able to show up and do good gymnastics and I think we certainly did.”
The Wildcats were led by junior Shelby Edwards with a score of 9.875. Scoring yet another career high this season, junior Jessie Sisler earned a 9.825. Sophomore Gabby Laub and senior Allie Flores both earned scores of 9.800. Freshman Madison Cindric also posted a career high with a score of 9.775. Sophomore Selynna Felix-Terrazas received a 9.725 on the event.
The GymCats continued onto bars and had a consistent showing on the event. Freshman Victoria Ortiz, Laub, Flores and Feliz-Terrazas each contributed scores of 9.825. Felix-Terrazas's score earned her a new career high. Sophomore Krysten Howard earned a 9.850. Junior Lexi Mills posted a score of 9.675.
“Other than the one miss we had it was a great event because we hit the rest of the routines,” Ryden said. “We definitely nickeled and dimed ourselves but we were solid on bars. They did what I expected and I'm proud of them for that.”
After the second rotation the Wildcats trailed the Utes 99.100-98.225.
On the beam for the third rotation, the Cats finished with a 48.975. The team was led by Mills and Flores. Both gymnasts received a 9.850 on the event. Just behind the two upperclassmen was Edwards with a 9.825. Cindric contributed a score of 9.775. Schneider and Sisler posted scores of 9.675 and 9.150, respectively.
“It's a shame that Jessie (Sisler) fell because up until that fall her routine was flawless,” said Ryden. “The team didn't let that affect them though. Even with a fall they almost scored a 49 so that shows that there was a lot more good than bad going on.”
Arizona rallied in the last rotation to cut Utah's lead, finishing on their strongest event of the night – floor. The team posted a score of 49.175.
Schneider and Sisler led the team with two scores of 9.875. Felix-Terrazas and Flores contributed another pair of significant scores of 9.825's. Behind them was senior Shay Fox who scored a 9.775. Howard contributed a 9.250.
“Floor could have hurt us tonight,” said Ryden. “When there's a fall in the first routine that puts a lot of pressure on the following five girls. The fact that they hung tough and gave us a decent score really made me proud of them.”
Flores continued to be a powerhouse for the team taking second place in the all-around competition. She received a 39.300 at the end of the meet.
“Once again Allie (Flores) did a great job,” Ryden said. “She really pulls through when we need her to and when the pressure is on. She is one of our scoring leaders and is have a phenomenal year.”
The GymCats will hit the road once again to face Pac-12 foe, No. 10 Oregon State University. The meet will take place in Corvallis, Ore., on Saturday Feb., 7 at 3 p.m. MST. The meet will be aired on the Pac-12 Network. For continued coverage of Arizona Gymnastics, follow the team at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.
