(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)
On Saturday, the No. 13 Gym Devils took on the No. 25 Minnesota Golden Gophers at Maturi Pavillion in Minneapolis.
After ASU had its senior night last week, Minnesota had its own in the meet against Arizona State this weekend. Although the Gym Devils had no seniors of their own competing, the Golden Gophers had several final-year gymnasts lead the way throughout the meet.
In the first rotation, ASU took to uneven bars where the squad started the meet strong, scoring a 49.250 total. Junior Morgan Wilson led off with a season-high 9.825, followed by the Szafranski sisters who both earned career-highs on the event. Kaitlyn put up a 9.775 while Ashley notched a 9.900. Junior Anne Kuhm and freshman Cairo Leonard-Baker closed out the rotation, each scoring a 9.875.
Minnesota earned a 48.925 and was lead by Lexy Ramler, who tied a career high 9.850. After the first rotation, ASU lead by over three tenths of a point.
In the second event, Arizona State switched to vault. Sophomore Jess Ginn earned a career-high tying routine of 9.825, but no other Gym Devil was capable of cracking a 9.800. ASU was unable to surpass the 49+ mark on the event, putting up a 48.950.
Minnesota performed well on bars and matched ASU’s score on that particular event, earning a 49.250. The home team saw two seniors set career-highs on the apparatus and brought Arizona State’s lead down to 0.025 points.
Ginn and Kaitlyn Szafranski continued their productive day by tying and setting career-highs, respectively, on the floor exercise. Justine Callis also set a season high 9.800 and the Gym Devils earned a 49.250 on the event. Notably, Leonard-Baker rested and did not compete on this event, leading way for junior Corinne Belkoff to make her season debut. Belkoff put up a strong 9.850 in her debut.
The Golden Gophers had two gymnasts set career-highs on the third rotation as well and finished beam with a 49.225. Going into the final rotation ASU held a 147.450 – 147.400 lead.
Arizona State was led off on the balance beam by Leonard-Baker, who set the tone with a 9.825, and Wilson matched the freshman’s score. With a clutch anchor routine, junior Justine Callis put up a 9.850, and the Gym Devils finished the event with a 49.075.
Minnesota had a sub-9 from the second routine in the last rotation, keeping the pressure on every routine the Golden Gopher performed on floor. However, Minnesota thrived under the pressure and earned three 9.900s in order to score a 49.275 on the event.
When all was said and done, the Gym Devils put up a strong score, but they ultimately fell short, finishing with a 196.525. The Golden Gophers hit a season-high 196.675, and Minnesota was able to take the victory in its seniors’ final home meet.
Up next, the Devils travel to Norman, Okla. for a quad-meet against the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks, and No. 12 Denver Pioneers. The meet is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, March 3 at Lloyd Noble Center.
