TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona gymnastics team dominated the Arizona State University Sun Devils Monday night at McKale. The Wildcats finished with a season high score of 196.625, outscoring the Sun Devils' score of 195.375.
“We keep building,” said head coach Bill Ryden. “We didn't have our best performance last week and we learned from that. We had four really good days of practice this week and the hard work definitely paid off.”
The Wildcats started the meet on vault with a strong performance earning them a 49.025. Arizona State was close behind with a 49.000 after competing on bars.
“It was a good start to the meet,” said Ryden. “We had a few landing errors and hops but the team competed well. The girls all stayed focused and didn't let a hop or step impact their performance.”
Junior Shelby Edwards tied her season high score of 9.875, leading the team on the event.
“Shelby (Edwards) keeps getting stronger,” said Ryden. “She is the Pac-12 Vault Co-Champion for a reason.”
Senior all-around competitor Allie Flores finished on vault with a 9.825. Junior Jessie Sisler contributed another strong score for the team with a 9.800. Sophomores Gabby Laub and Selynna Felix-Terrazas contributed scores of 9.775 and 9.750, respectively. Freshman Madison Cindric rounded out the rotation with a 9.725.
The Wildcats continued to show strength into the second round after posting a team score of 49.300 earning the GymCats their highest team score on bars this season.
“We're getting stronger and we finally didn't have a major hiccup that hurt us,” said Ryden. “Last week we weren't that sharp on bars and the girls took that personally. They weren't happy with their performance last week so they worked hard this week to get better. Their perseverance is something I am so proud of.”
The team was led by freshman Victoria Ortiz who posted the highest score of the meet on bars. With a 9.900 Ortiz posted a new career best.
“Victoria (Ortiz) did such a great job tonight,” said Ryden. “I could see her digging her toes in the ground on her dismount, she wanted that score and she deserved it.”
Felix-Terrazas scored a season high of 9.875 on the event. Also posting a season high was Laub who earned a score of 9.850. Teammate and sophomore Krysten Howard received a 9.850 as well. Junior Lexi Mills earned a 9.825 followed by Flores with a 9.800.
Going into the second half of the meet, the GymCats were in the lead 98.325-97.650 and consistency seemed to be the theme of the meet. The team posted another season high team score on beam with a total of 49.175.
“We had some nice beam work tonight,” said Ryden. “It's a shame that Lexi (Mills) fell but she looked great out there as did the rest of the team.”
Senior Shay Fox, Cindric and Flores all earned scores of 9.850. Sisler posted a 9.825 on the event. Edwards was right behind with a score of 9.800. Mills suffered from a fall in the middle of her routine but finished with a stuck landing and a 9.275.
Going into the final rotation the Wildcats jumped ahead even further and finished the last rotation on floor with a 49.125.
“We are nine deep on floor, so we have a strong pool of routines,” said Ryden. “Floor is definitely one of our stronger events and it showed tonight. We had a very artistic lineup and they performed well.”
Flores and Sisler earned a pair of 9.875's on the event. In only her second appearance on floor was Mills with a 9.850. Cindric, Fox and freshman Kennady Schneider posted scores of 9.775, 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.
The Wildcats' phenomenal performances did not go unnoticed. On vault Edwards received first place and Flores took third. For bars the team dominated with Ortiz in first place, Felix-Terrazas in second and Howard and Laub tying for third. Cindric, Fox and Flores each tied for second place on beam. Sisler and Flores tied for first on floor followed by Mills in the third place spot.
Flores fought hard throughout the meet earning her a first place finish in the all-around competition with a score of 39.350.
“Allie (Flores) is a warrior,” said Ryden. “She is an amazing competitor. She never lets anything phase her and she's so fun to watch.”
Monday's meet marked the first meet of the second half of the season. The Wildcats will have a week off this coming weekend but will return to McKale on Feb. 28 for the annual Pink Meet. The meet will be at 6 p.m. MST and will be aired on the Pac-12 Network.
For continued coverage on Arizona gymnastics, follow the team at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.
