DENTON, Tex. – Two road meets in one weekend certainly did not seem to be a problem for the Wildcats. The team outscored the hosting Texas Woman's University Pioneers after they scored a new season high of 197.125. The Pioneers finished behind the Wildcats with a score of 192.475. Although the Wildcats posted the third highest score in team history, it was a bittersweet finish after senior all-around gymnast Allie Flores suffered from an injury during floor.
“It was one of the best meets we have had in years,” said head coach Bill Ryden. “Right now we can't celebrate it too much because our thoughts are with Allie (Flores). Of course this score will help us, but when bad luck strikes like that it's so sad.”
To begin the second meet of the weekend the Wildcats competed on bars in the first rotation. The team didn't seem to let Friday evening's meet affect them, however. The team received a score of 49.275, the second highest team score on the event this season.
“Bars was a fantastic start,” said Ryden. “It was a direct result from the meet on Friday. The girls came out with a mission and you could see that they learned from their mistakes. It certainly set us up for a good meet.”
The team was led by senior Allie Flores and sophomore Selynna Felix-Terrazas who both earned first places scores of 9.875. Behind them was sophomore Krysten Howard and junior Lexi Mills with third place scores of 9.850. The scores came in pairs for the Wildcats, after freshman Victoria Ortiz and sophomore Gabby Laub both posted scores of 9.825.
The good luck carried over to the second rotation when the GymCats hit the vault. The team scored their highest team score on the event this season with a 48.125.
“Vault was great,” said Ryden. “They have been working so hard on that event and so hard to get better. Every meet you can see them trying to put in the corrections from practice and you could really see the results of the positive work today.”
After scoring a 9.900 at Michigan State, junior Shelby Edwards had another successful meet this weekend when she scored a 9.875 on vault. Edwards placed first on the event. Freshman Madison Cindric scored a career high and second place score of 9.850. Sisler and Flores tied for third place after receiving a pair of 9.825's. Laub and Felix-Terrazas contributed to the team's season high score after they each earned scores of 9.775.
The Wildcats moved onto floor to earn a team score of 49.250, the second highest on the event this season.
“Madison (Cindric) just keeps getting better,” said Ryden. “She is a good competitor and doesn't let anything faze her.”
Leading the team on floor was Sisler with a 9.875 and a first place finish. Cindric shortly followed after she scored a 9.850, a new career high. Mills and freshman Kennady Schneider also scored 9.850's. The three tied for third place on the event. Senior Shay Fox scored a season high of 8.825 on the event. Flores sustained an injury during her floor routine and unfortunately was unable to finish her routine.
The Wildcats started the meet strong but they finished even stronger. The team scored their highest on beam this season after posting a score of 49.450. The score is the second highest in the program's history.
“Beam was incredible,” said Ryden. “The fact that they could come back after the injury on floor shows the strength of the team. They could have let that defeat them but they didn't. Today's performance shows just how talented our beam team is.”
Sisler beat her career high score made this season after she scored a 9.950. Immediately following Sisler in the lineup was Mills who scored another 9.950. The two juniors took first place on the event. Fox and Edwards each posted season highs on beam after scoring two 9.875's. In her collegiate career appearance on beam, Howard earned a 9.800. Cindric also scored a 9.800.
The Wildcats will return home for the last time this season next weekend. On March 14 at 4 p.m. MST the GymCats will take on the University of Denver Pioneers. The meet will mark the last time the seniors will compete at home and a ceremony for them will immediately follow the competition. The meet will not be televised but will be available via live stream.
For continued coverage of Arizona Gymnastics, follow the team at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.
