ASU Gymnastics: Gym Devils host tri-meet to conclude regular season

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Arizona State gymnastics (3-8, 1-5 Pac-12) will return to Wells Fargo Arena for the final time this season for a tri-meet against the Sacramento State Hornets (10-7) and the Bridgeport Purple Knights (19-6) on Friday night.

The Gym Devils coming off a Territorial Cup victory against then-No. 23 Arizona. ASU posted several season-high scores in its 195.700-195.375 win, including a season-best overall total.

That was ASU’s first conference win since defeating Arizona in Feb. 2014 and its first regular season, road win since its victory over Washington in Jan. 2014.

The Gym Devils started off strong, posting a season-high 49.025 on the uneven bars. Junior Nichelle Christopherson led the team with her season-high 9.875. Sophomores Eileen Imbus and Morgan Wilson both hit career-highs, scoring a 9.825 and 9.850, respectively. Freshman Ashley Szafranski hit her third consecutive 9.8+ of the season, posting a 9.800. This was only the second time this season that the Gym Devils broke the 49.0+ mark on an event.

ASU has struggled on vault this season but posted a season-high score of 48.850 last week. The event was led by Wilson and fellow sophomore Katelyn Lentz, who posted career-high scores. Wilson earned a 9.850 while Lentz earned a 9.825. Wilson took home the event title while Lentz tied for second.

The Gym Devils had a tough time on the floor exercise with four girls stepping out-of-bounds in their routines. Freshman Morgan Hart returned to the floor lineup after being out for five weeks with a bruised heel, scoring a 9.750. Lentz continued to shine anchoring the event and tied her career-high score of 9.850. Despite a struggle, the Gym Devils earned a 48.675 event total.

ASU finished the meet on a high note, scoring a season-high 49.150 on the balance beam. This was the Gym Devils’ second event total of 49.0+ of the meet and only third of the season. Szafranski and sophomore Heather Udowitch posted a pair of 9.800s. Lentz hit another career-high with a score of 9.875, but once again, Christopherson led the team with a career-high 9.900 on the event. That was enough to earn the event title and secure the victory over Arizona.

Last time out, Sacramento State finished second in a tri-meet at home behind UC Davis and in front of Seattle-Pacific University. The Hornets earned a 193.475 total at the meet.

Sac State posted a 48.650 total on vault, led by senior Julia Konner’s first place 9.850 vault. Junior Caitlin Soliwoda followed with 9.825. The Hornets earned a 48.850 on the uneven bars thanks in part to all five scores coming in at 9.625 or better. Junior Courtney Soliwoda recorded a career-high 9.850 and tied for first on the event.

The Hornets struggled on the balance beam, recording four falls which led to a 47.000 event total. Caitlin Soliwoda anchored the event with a 9.750 to tie for first place. Sac State got back on track for the floor exercise, scoring a 48.975 total. Junior Jennifer Brenner posted a career-high 9.875 while Caitlin Soliwoda earned the same score to tie her high.

Caitlin Soliwoda took home the all-around title with a 39.225 total.

Bridgeport competed at home for the last time this season and took home first in a quad-meet against Brown, Southern Connecticut and Rhode Island College. The Purple Knights finished with a 194.450 total.

The Purple Knights’ highest event total of the meet came on the floor exercise with a 49.175 total. Senior Brianna Comport led the team and took home first on the event with a score of 9.900 while senior Randi Cutolo’s 9.875 score tied for third. On balance beam, Bridgeport posted a 48.225. Comport led the event once again with a first-place score of 9.950.

Bridgeport earned a 48.475 on the uneven bars. The event was led by senior Christine Liautaud and sophomore Thomara Powell-Brown, who tied for first with a pair of 9.70s. On vault, Bridgeport recorded a 48.575. Senior Kimberly Stewart had the high score of 9.825 for the Purple Knights.

Freshman Maya Reimers won the all-around competition with a 39.925, and junior Kelsey Campbell came in second with a 38.750 total.

The tri-meet is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be streamed lived on Pac-12 Plus.