Feb. 15, 2013
STANFORD, Calif.—With strong performances from veteran leaders and talented underclassman, the 25th-ranked Arizona State gymnastics team (2-5, 0-3 Pac-12) topped the 195 mark for the fourth consecutive meet. The Sun Devils fell short of the No. 10 Stanford Cardinal 195.250-197.275, Friday, in Stanford. Calif.
The Gym Devils made the addition of Stephanie Miceli to the vault line-up, which qualified the freshman to be ASU’s first All-Around competitor of the season. Miceli scored 9.600 on her debut vault of the season but topped the 9.8 mark tying her career high of 9.850 on beam and scoring a 9.800 on floor. Arizona State’s top all-around gymnast from 2012, junior Samantha Seaman, is still easing her way back into competition.
Senior Amelia Rew also stepped up for the Sun Devils performing a strong beam routine and tying her career-high on bars. Rew anchored the ASU bar line-up and landed a personal-best 9.775 after the Sun Devils had a fall earlier in the event. The senior also scored a 9.700 on beam, showcasing her solidity as a veteran competitor for ASU.
The Gym Devils, who are ranked 19th in the nation on beam, scored a season high of 49.025 in the event. The team was led by sophomore Brianna Gades career-high score of 9.875. Miceli hitting a 9.850 in the anchor spot and grad Kahoku Palafox scoring a 9.825 helped ASU set a new season-best mark.
Sophomore Natasha Sundby proved why she is Arizona State’s top vault and floor worker. Sundby tied her career high of 9.875 on vault and earned a 9.875 on floor, where one judge gave the sophomore a score of 9.950 in the event.
Next up, the Sun Devils return home to join the ASU men’s club gymnastics team in Wells Fargo Arena to host Washington in the teams’ annual Co-Ed meet on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. One of the best atmospheres of the season, the meet is also ASU’s black out meet where fans will receive $3 admission for wearing black apparel. The Arizona State gymnastics meets are always FREE to ASU students with their Sun Cards.