Gymnasts post season highs, but fall to Broncos
Taking on the No. 11 Broncos of Boise State at home, the Aggie gymnastics team fell 196.250 to 193.600, Friday. Even with the loss, they still managed to score their highest overall total of the season.
“We know we can get a 193 and above,” senior Jackie Dillon said. “I think we can keep that going this weekend and through the rest of the year.”
High scores and broken records were key in the success of Friday’s meet. The Aggies posted season-high scores in three of the four events of the meet.
The Aggies opened the meet with vault competition, led by senior Lyndsie Boone’s score of 9.775. Just behind her, with a score of 9.750, was freshman Paige Jones. With a total score of 48.250, they were just behind the Broncos with their 48.975 on the bars after the first rotation.
Swapping events, the Aggies moved to the bars where they scored a season-high 48.675. Freshman Rachel Vaske started it off earning a personal season-high 9.650. It wasn’t long before she was joined in the achievement by Jones and her 9.725 and then junior Nicole Simoneau, who won the event, with a score of 9.875.
At the midpoint of the meet, the Aggies were down 96.925 to Boise State’s 98.250.
The team scored another season-high with a 47.750 on beam for the third rotation of the meet.
“We had a couple falls, but we kept going,” Dillon said. “We just had to push through.”
Freshman Cammi Muhr started off with a 9.750. Junior Haley Hogan tied her career-high with 9.750. Dillon scored a 9.475 before Simoneau wrapped up the rotation with another personal season-best with her score of 9.750. At the end of the third, the Aggies were down 144.675 to 147.275.
“We’re a hit and miss team on beam,” Richards said. “We haven’t been able to get everyone on the same track.”
Moving to the floor for the last rotation of the night, the Aggies prepared to score yet another season-high.
Freshman Christina Nye started off the event with a 9.550. Muhr landed her personal season-high with a score of 9.800. Jones followed with her new season-best, and the overall top score for the Aggies this season, of 9.850. Dillon rounded out competition by tying her career-high of 9.825, contributing to a total score of 48.925 on floor.
The Broncos scored a 48.975 on their last rotation, for the final winner score of 196.250.
“Beam was a little bit rough. We almost pulled it off,” Richards said. “I was pleased with how well the girls were able to stay focused even after that.”
The team plans to build off the momentum they gained from Friday’s meet. They will work hard in practice to get ready for this weekend.
“We’re just still working on the basics. Finishing well, toes pointed. They just need to go out there feeling confident and being confident,” Richards said. “It’s taking awhile, but I think this last meet showed them that what we’re doing is working.”
The Aggies remain at home this week as they take on the University of Utah. The Utes have been ranked No. 3 for the past three weeks, but this week do not meet the requirements of having enough away meet scores to be nationally ranked.
“The girls are excited. I think this meet has a lot of potential,” Richards said. “It’s going to be great. It should be a fun one. It will have a great crowd.”
“We always get a good crowd and we know our fans will be behind us,” Dillon said.
– megan.allen@aggiemail.usu.edu