(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)
The No. 21 Arizona State Gym Devils (9-10) continued their road trip to Denver, Colo., to take on the No. 6 Denver Pioneers, No. 18 Nebraska Huskers, and Pittsburgh Panthers for their last away meet of the regular season.
The Gym Devils fell short to Denver and Nebraska who scored a 197.675 and 196.225, respectively, but were able to defeat Pittsburg 194.825-194.200. Despite the season-low team score, ASU was still able to continue its streak of going 49.000+ on the uneven bars with a 49.100.
ASU began its afternoon on the balance beam where they struggled to get the ball rolling after suffering two falls in the back end of their lineup. Senior Justine Callis highlighted the rotation in the anchor position recording a 9.800 followed by a pair of 9.750s from sophomore Cairo Leonard-Baker and senior Morgan Wilson for a team total of 48.050.
The home team, Denver, led its afternoon off on vault where it went 49.275, taking an early lead in the first rotation. Maddie Karr’s near perfect 9.975 won the event title followed by Lynzee Brown’s 9.900.
Nebraska started on the bars where they also had its share of struggles. Sienna Crouse highlighted the Huskers rotation posting a 9.900, but they were forced to count a 9.575 after suffering a fall in the leadoff position for a 48.825.
Pittsburgh opened its meet on the floor where Jordan Ceccarini’s 9.825 tied her career-high followed by Sophie Bochenek with a 9.725 for a team total of 48.225.
Heading into the second rotation, Denver led the pack with a 49.275, followed by Nebraska (48.825), Pittsburgh (48.225) and Arizona State (48.050).
The Gym Devils moved to the floor in the second rotation earning a 48.775. Seniors Corinne Belkoff and Kaitlyn Szafranski led ASU with a pair of 9.850s followed by pair of 9.700s from senior Heather Udowitch and junior Jessica Ginn.
The Pioneers posted a 49.475 on the uneven bars with three scores going 9.925 or better. Brown and Karr tied for the bars title with a 9.950 followed by Emily Glynn’s 9.925.
Nebraska moved to the balance beam where Crouse and Taylor Houchin highlighted the rotation with a pair of 9.900s along with Adnerys De Jesus’s 9.850 for a 49.175 team finish.
Pittsburgh moved to the vault where Alecia Petrikis 9.800 led the Panthers for a 48.675 total. Olivia Miller added a 9.750 followed by Bochenek and Deven Herbine with a pair of 9.725s.
At the halfway point, Denver continued its lead with a 98.750, followed by Nebraska (97.825), Pittsburgh (96.900), and Arizona State (96.825).
The Gym Devils vaulted their way to a 48.900 in the third rotation. Wilson and Leonard-Baker led the effort with a pair of 9.825s in the back end of the lineup along with Jessica Ginn’s 9.800 to close out the rotation.
Denver continued to the balance beam where Kaitlyn Schou posted a 9.95 for the individual event title. Alexis Vasquez added a 9.900 to give the Pioneers a 49.450 cumulative.
Nebraska moved to the floor where Crouse and Hassel paved the way with scores of 9.90. De Jesus set a career high on the event with a 9.850 giving the Huskers a 49.175.
As for Pittsburgh, Haley Brechwald was the top performer on the uneven bars with a 9.750. In total, the Panthers earned a 48.425 to reach a three-event score of 145.325.
Going into the final rotation, Denver extended its lead with a 148.200. Nebraska trailed slightly behind with a 147.000 while ASU moved into third place with a 145.725 surpassing Pittsburgh.
Arizona State concluded its meet on the uneven bars which has been the team’s strongest and most consistent event all season long. With five scores of 9.800 or better, Morgan Hart got the ball rolling with a 9.850 followed by Callis’ career-high 9.825. Leonard-Baker also added a 9.825 closing out the meet with a 49.100.
The Pioneers closed out their afternoon on the floor with a 49.475. Brown took home the individual title with a 9.975 followed closely behind by Karr with a 9.925. Alexandria Ruiz added a 9.875 to finish the rotation.
Nebraska finished its night on vault with a 49.225. Crouse and Houchin both scored team highs of 9.90, while De Jesus trailed behind them with a score of 9.85.
Pittsburgh ended its meet on the beam with a 48.875. Herbine and Brittany West earned team-highs of 9.800, while Brechwald followed with a 9.775,
In the all-around, Leonard-Baker scored a 39.050 for a fourth-place finish. Karr took home the all-around title with a 39.725 followed by Brown with a 39.675 and Crouse with a 39.500.
The Gym Devils will have a quick turn-around this week, returning home Wednesday, March 13, to host the No. 16 BYU Cougars and the No. 26 West Virginia Mountaineers. The meet is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live via PAC-12 Plus Livestream.
