Jan. 15, 2010
LAS VEGAS -
The Arizona State women's gymnastics team opened their season with several individuals earning career-highs. The Gym Devils earned a 192.675 in their first meet of the season, placing fourth at the Lady Luck Invitational behind Missouri (195.625), Kentucky (195.25) and LSU (195.350).
Despite a strong first routine by Christina Salavec, the Sun Devils had a rough first rotation on floor. In her first Sun Devil routine, Salavec earned a solid 9.725 to lead ASU on floor. Nicole Johnson went 9.625 for her Sun Devil debut. Brittany Schuett earned a 9.6 after performing a solid routine. Stephanie Hangartner's solid performance was blemished by two out-of-bounds deductions, forcing her to take a 9.3. Mary Atkinson had a near perfect routine until she fell on her last pass, earning a 9.1. The Sun Devils began the meet with a 47.35.
The second rotation fared much better for the Sun Devils as three career-highs were achieved on vault. Atkinson tied her personal high for a 9.875 after nailing her vault. In her first vault performance since her freshman season, Kaitlynn Bormann scored a 9.8 for a new career-best. Callie Price, who was a solid vaulter last season for the Sun Devils, increased her personal-best of 9.775 to 9.8. Amanda Davies went 9.625 while Amelia Rew earned a 9.55. The Sun Devils combined for a 48.65 and totaled 96 points after two rotations.
Four Gym Devils garnered career-bests on bars. Francesca Mercurio started the rotation off right as she tied her career-best for a 9.825. In her first time competing bars since her freshman season, Atkinson nailed her routine for her top all-time score of 9.875. Kahoku Palafox replaced her previous career-best with a 9.825 as did Hangartner with the same score. The Sun Devils counted Bormann's score of a 9.325, who fell on her dismount. The Sun Devils finished with a 48.675 on bars and went into the fourth rotation with a 144.675.
Beam was shaky for the Sun Devils. Salavec and Bormann earned the highest scores for the team with 9.675. Hangartner garnered a 9.65 in her first beam routine of her Sun Devil career. Mercurio earned a 9.625. Palafox was scored a 9.375 due to several wobbles. The Sun Devils earned 48 points on beam. Atkinson finished with a 38.075 in the all-around.
The Gym Devils head to Berkeley, Calif., on Sunday to compete against Pac-10 competitor Cal.
Floor:
Salavec: 9.725
Johnson: 9.625
Schuett: 9.6
Hangartner: 9.3
Atkinson: 9.1
Davies: 8.1
Team: 47.35
Vault:
Johnson: 9.050
Bormann: 9.8
Rew: 9.55
Davies: 9.625
Price: 9.8
Atkinson: 9.875
Team: 48.65
Bars:
Mercurio: 9.825
Johnson: 8.9
Hangartner: 9.825
Bormann: 9325
Palafox: 9.825
Atkinson: 9.875
Tam: 48.675
Beam:
Mercurio: 9.625
Salavec: 9.675
Bormann: 9.675
Hangartner: 9.650
Palafox: 9.325
Atkinson 9.225
Team: 48