Jan. 20, 2008
The No. 23 Arizona State women's gymnastics team earned their best score of the season posting a season-best 195.175 to beat Pac-10 competitor No. 22 California 195.175-191.750. Returning to the all-around competition for the first time this season, sophomore All-American Nicole Harris won the All-Around with a score of 39.325. Tiana Jean placed second tying her career-best with 38.9 points while first-time all-around competitor Francesca Mercurio placed third with a score of 38.8.
The Sun Devils began the meet with their best bar score of the season, 48.825. Freshman Francesca Mercurio led the team off with a career-best 9.7. Tiana Jean and Tia Orlando both hit their routines with each earning scores of 9.825. Jean's score is her season-best while 9.825 marks Orlando's career high. Anchoring the event, Nicole Harris earned the team's best bars score of the season with a 9.875. Beaté Jones also had a career high on bars as well with a 9.6. The Bears compiled a score of 49.125.
Ashlee Hinkle hit her vault to score a 9.825 and win the event. Nicole Harris was the next highest scoring Sun Devil, earning a 9.775 on her vault. Mary Atkinson and Mercurio each recorded 9.675 on the event. Jones score also counted in the Sun Devils total with a score of 9.65. The team earned a score of 48.6. The Golden Bears had a 47.6 on vault.
Mercurio led the team off on floor with a career-high 9.7. Jones followed with a 9.75. Stepping out on her last pass, Jean earned a 9.675. Hinkle recorded a solid 9.825 to place second overall. Competing on floor for the first time this season, Harris earned a 9.85 to win the event. The Sun Devils earned a team score of 48.8. Cal scored 46.85 on the event.
The Sun Devils finished the meet on beam. Jean led off for the Devils scoring a season-best 9.8. Competing on beam for the first time in her collegiate career, Mercurio earned a 9.725. Arguably the most consistent gymnast on the team this season, Hinkle had her third score of 9.825 of the night. Harris also earned a 9.825 on beam to tie for second overall. The Sun Devils earned a season-high 48.950 on beam while Cal compiled a 48.175.
The Sun Devils host long-time rival No. 3 Utah next Friday in their home opener. The meet begins at 7:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.