(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
After defeating the Texas Woman’s Pioneers 195.675-193.550, the Gym Devils head to California for a tough first Pac-12 meet of the season against No. 2 UCLA.
“We know that they’re reigning national champs and we know it’s a really big meet, but we’ve really been focusing on just adding that next level to everything that we’re doing in the gym.” senior Justine Callis said.
Senior Anne Kuhm and sophomore Cairo Leonard-Baker led the Sun Devils to victory in the meet again Texas Woman’s. Kuhm scored an all-around 39.175 for a second-place finish while Leonard-Baker scored a 39.025.
The Gym Devils also welcomed back junior Ashley Szafranski, who put up a 9.775 on beam in her season debut.
The Bruins, meanwhile, are the reigning national champions and most recently took first place in the Collegiate Challenge powered by Under Armour after scoring a 197.700, beating out No. 9 California, No. 14 UC Davis and No. 33 Michigan State.
Junior Kyla Ross and senior Katelyn Ohashi paved the way for the Bruins after both putting up perfect scores. Ross earned her fourth perfect 10 on the uneven bars while the reigning NCAA floor co-champion Ohashi earned her fourth perfect 10 on the floor exercise. Both Ross and Ohashi have overall six career perfect 10s.
After two meets, the Sun Devils are ranked No. 19 nationally and will have to be near perfect in order to upset the No. 2 Bruins.
“Their environment is really fun to compete in,” Callis said about the Bruins home crowd. “Those fans really love gymnastics, and I think we’re really prepared for that I’m looking forward to feeding off that energy.”
The meet is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. MST in Pauley Pavillion and will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
