(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
In the second week of competition, the No. 13 Arizona State Gym Devils (3-1) hit the road for the first time this season, defeating the Texas Woman’s Pioneers (0-2) 195.675-193.550.
All-around duo, senior Anne Kuhm, and sophomore Cairo Leonard-Baker led the Gym Devils’ victory with Kuhm earning a 39.175 for a second place finish, and Leonard-Baker earning a 39.025 for third. Texas Woman’s Bria Northrop took home the all-around title with a 39.225.
ASU began its night on the uneven bars where the Gym Devils earned a team total of 48.975. Leonard-Baker led the effort with an impressive 9.850 to win the event, followed by Kuhm and senior Morgan Wilson who tied for second with a 9.825.
On the other side of the arena, the Pioneers started their night on the vault where junior Hope Parkin led the way with a 9.850, followed by senior Morgan Colee who finished third with a 9.800.
Heading into the second rotation, the Gym Devils led the Pioneers 48.975-48.650. ASU switched with TWU, moving to the vault where they scored a team total of 48.775. Kuhm’s solid start on vault earned her a 9.850 to tie Parkin for the win followed by Wilson’s 9.775 in the anchor position.
At the halfway point, ASU maintained its lead to 97.750-96.925. The Gym Devils highest event total came on the floor exercise in the third rotation where they broke 49.000+ for the first time this season with a 49.050. The Gym Devils high energy and powerful tumbling were highlighted by Leonard-Baker’s 9.875, tying Northrop for the best floor score of the night. Senior Kaitlyn Szafranski posted a 9.850 for third along with two other 9.80s from senior Katelyn Lentz and junior Jessica Ginn to cap off the rotation.
As for the Pioneers, they had to suffer a fall from senior Erin Alderman on the beam, extending ASU’s lead to 146.800-145.575.
Moving into the final rotation, the Gym Devils went six-for-six on the balance beam to earn a team cumulative of 48.875, spearheaded by senior Justine Callis’ 9.800. After missing the season opener, ASU welcomed junior Ashley Szafranski back into the lineup where her clean lines and unique skills put up a 9.775 in her season debut. Kuhm and senior Heather Udowitch also put up a 9.775 for a three-way tie for fourth.
ASU will continue its road trip Monday, Jan. 21 when the Gym Devils head to Los Angeles, California, to take on the reigning National Champion UCLA Bruins in the first conference meet of the season. The meet will start at 3 p.m. MST in Pauley Pavilion and will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
