Feb. 3, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 2 Utah gymnastics team squeaked past No. 12 Arizona State (196.1-196.175), as the Sun Devils lost their first meet of the season Friday in front of 1,521 fans, the third-largest crowd ever. Last year, the Sun Devils had not posted a score higher than 196 until late March.
The Sun Devils swept the all-around competition. Junior April Boone and freshman Nicole Harris tied for the title with scores of 39.35. Senior Ashley Kelly placed third, scoring 39.025.
The Sun Devils began the meet on the vault. The team score of 49.075 was the Sun Devils second best of the season. Kristina Baskett of Utah won the event with a 9.925. Utah's Gritt Hofmann placed second with a 9.9. ASU's Kelly scored a 9.875; good enough to tie for third with Utah's Ashley Postell and tie her season high. Boone placed fifth with a 9.85, her season best. Senior Lauren Powell tied her season best (9.825) to place sixth. Utah, which is ranked third nationally on the vault, won the event with a 49.3.
The Sun Devils scored a 49.2 on the uneven bars, their second best of the season. Kelly won the event with a season best 9.95. Harris tied her career best with a 9.875, good enough to place fourth behind Utah's Nicole Ford and Postell, who both scored a 9.9. Tia Orlando tied for sixth with Utah's Jessica Duke behind Utah's Baskett with a 9.825. The Utes won the bar rotation with a 49.225.
On their third rotation, the Sun Devils, who coming into this week were ranked first on the balance beam, scored a 49.0. Utah's Postell won the event with a 9.925. Kelly, who was ranked first on the balance beam coming into the meet, placed second, scoring a 9.9, her second best of the season. Utah's Ford took third with a 9.875. Harris posted a 9.85 good enough to tie for fourth with Utah's Hofmann. Boone placed seventh with a 9.8, behind Utah's Nina Kim (9.825). The Utes won the rotation with a 49.15.
The Sun Devils won the floor exercise, scoring a 48.825. Boone won the exercise posting a 9.925, her season best. Cassandra Jusino placed second with a 9.9. The Sun Devils continued to shine as Harris and Ashley Toner both scored their career best. Harris placed third with a 9.875 and Toner placed fourth with a 9.825. Utah scored a 48.5.
The Sun Devils remain at home next to face Pac-10 rival Stanford on Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.