ASU Gymnastics: Sun Devils can’t mount comeback, fall to UC Davis in home opener

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Arizona State gymnastics won three out of the four event titles on Saturday but fell short to the UC Davis Aggies in ASU’s first home meet of the year.

The Gym Devils began the night on vault. Freshman Graycee Rushton started off the night for the Gym Devils, earning a 9.575. Sophomores Corinne Belkoff and Morgan Wilson hit it big, scoring 9.700 and 9.750, respectively. Arizona State was off the a promising start after recording five straight stuck landings on vault and earning a 48.350.

For the first rotation of the night, the Aggies competed on the uneven bars. Junior Alexis Brown, senior Jordan Helgesen and junior Miranda Holder all scored 9.675 on the event while senior Yonni Michovska scored a 9.800. The Aggies finished with a 48.525.

After one rotation, Arizona State trailed UC Davis by 0.175.

Arizona State struggled on bars for the second rotation. Wilson fell on her first release of the routine and earned a 9.150. Freshman Ashley Szafranski fell on her landing, scoring a 9.225. Sophomore Eileen Imbus and junior Nichelle Christopherson helped improve the Gym Devils’ bar total, scoring 9.775 and 9.800, respectively. This was the second consecutive outing that Christopherson scored at least a 9.800 on the bars.

UC Davis moved to vault for the second rotation. Four Aggies scored 9.700+ to help advance them 0.650 points above the Gym Devils.

The Gym Devils still trailed the Aggies 97.075-96.425 after two rotations.

ASU continued the night on beam for the third rotation. Senior Beka Conrad was the first to perform for the Gym Devils, scoring a 9.250 after recording a fall. Several stuck landings followed Conrad, including one from Christopherson that earned her another 9.800. The Gym Devils scored a 48.125 total on the event.

UC Davis competed on floor for the third rotation. Sophomore Kara Jones scored a solid 9.750 on the event. Sophomore Yasmine Yektaparast anchored the event, scoring a 9.775.

Arizona State finished the night off on the floor exercise. Averie Brook led off for ASU and earned a 9.725 to get the team off to a solid start. Freshman Mekayla Jones made her only appearance of the meet on floor, scoring a 9.775. Christopherson continued to have a solid night, scoring a 9.700 on the floor. Freshman Morgan Hart closed the night out for the Gym Devils, scoring a 9.725. The Gym Devils posted a season-high 48.675 on the event.

The Aggies were on beam for the fourth and final rotation of the night. Senior Rachel Kreager, Yektaparast and senior Katy Nogaki all scored 9.650 on the beam. Junior Alexis Brown earned a 9.775 to add to her all-around score.

“It feels amazing that I can do that for myself and my team,” Christopherson said.
UC Davis ultimately beat ASU 194.050-193.225, and Brown took home the all-around title for the Aggies.

Sophomore Heather Udowitch said consistency was most important for ASU.

“Our biggest concern going into every completion, regardless of the completion, is just kind of going and contributing and hit those routines and going six for six,” she said.

The Gym Devils start Pac-12 competition next week when they will take on the Cal Bears in Berkeley. The meet is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Arizona time and will be on the Pac-12 Network.

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