GYMNASTICS NEARLY PULLS OFF COMEBACK AT UTAH STATE

2/17/2012

LOGAN, Utah — The Sacramento State gymnastics team overcame a rough start but could not hold on for a victory, falling 193.875-193.400, at Utah State on Friday night.

The Hornets opened the meet on bars and immediately worked their way into a deficit as the first two gymnasts in the order fell. From that point, the team stabilized itself and ended the first rotation with a 9.800 from Nicole Meiller who finished second. The score marked the third straight meet in which Meiller scored 9.800 or better.

Like Sacramento State, the host Aggies also suffered a fall on their first routine of the evening. However, Utah State responded with five scores of at least 9.525 to finish at 48.125.

USU extended its lead after the second rotation, scoring 48.925 on bars compared to 48.575 on vault from Sacramento State. The Hornets were extremely consistent on vault with all six scores falling between 9.650 and 9.775. Senior Emiko Ono led the way to win the event title for the second time this season.

The Hornets erased their deficit after the third rotation and took a narrow lead into the final event of the night. Sacramento State scored 48.875 on floor to improve its three-event total to 145.075. On beam, USU tallied 48.000 and stood at 145.050.

Sophomore Kaila Kilwein began floor with a 9.675 and was immediately followed by a 9.725 from freshman Dallas Smith and sophomore Katie Osaki. From there junior Cayla Beutler received a 9.775, Kalliah McCartney a 9.800 and Kailey Hansen closed things out with a 9.850 which tied for first.

The team's lead did not last long as USU scored 48.825 on floor compared to 48.325 from the Hornets on beam to secure the win.

For Sacramento State, freshman Kayla Wonderly opened beam with a 9.750  and sophomore Elideth Guerrero scored 9.700 two routines later. The last two performances of the rotation saw Kailey Hansen score 9.725 and Kalliah McCartney receive a 9.750.

In a battle of two of the top freshman in the Western Athletic Conference, Sarah Landes of Utah State was able to better McCartney for the all-around title. Landes scored 39.050 while McCartney totaled 38.825.

Sacramento State will return to the Rockies next week when it competes at new WAC member Denver on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Hornets will make a second trip to Utah State for the WAC Championships on March 24.

Team Results
1) Utah State 193.875
2) Sacramento State 193.400

VAULT Results
1) Emiko Ono (SAC) 9.775
2) Paige Jones (USU) 9.750, Kailey Hansen (SAC) 9.750
4) Sarah Landes (USU) 9.700, Kalliah McCartney (SAC) 9.700, Nicole Meiller (SAC) 9.700
7) Kaila Kilwein (SAC) 9.650, Katie Osaki (SAC) 9.650
9) Breyanna Aufiero (USU) 9.575, Susie Miller (USU) 9.575
11) Rebecca Holliday (USU) 9.525
12) Amanda Watamaniuk (USU) 9.050

BARS Results
1) Kaitlyn Betts (USU) 9.825
2) Paige Jones (USU) 9.800, Nicole Meiller (SAC) 9.800
4) Amelia Montoya (USU) 9.775, Amanda Watamaniuk (USU) 9.775
6) Rebecca Holliday (USU) 9.750
7) Sarah Landes (USU) 9.725
8) Kaila Kilwein (SAC) 9.600
9) Kalliah McCartney (SAC) 9.575
10) Emiko Ono (SAC) 9.450
11) Ashley Wooff (SAC) 9.200
12) Cayla Beutler (SAC) 8.800

BEAM Results
1) Rebecca Holliday (USU) 9.825
2) Sarah Landes (USU) 9.775
3) Kalliah McCartney (SAC) 9.750, Kayla Wonderly (SAC) 9.750
5) Kailey Hansen (SAC) 9.725
6) Elideth Guerrero (SAC) 9.700
7) Haley Hogan (USU) 9.625
8) Samantha Wagner (USU) 9.600
9) Dallas Smith (SAC) 9.400
10) Susie Miller (USU) 9.175
11) Ashley Follett (USU) 9.050
12) Cayla Beutler (SAC) 9.000

FLOOR Results
1) Sarah Landes (USU) 9.850, Kailey Hansen (SAC) 9.850
3) Amelia Montoya (USU) 9.825
4) Paige Jones (USU) 9.800, Kalliah McCartney (SAC) 9.800
6) Cayla Beutler (SAC) 9.775
7) Amanda Watamaniuk (USU) 9.725, Katie Osaki (SAC) 9.725, Dallas Smith (SAC) 9.725
10) Kaila Kilwein (SAC) 9.675
11) Ashley Follett (USU) 9.625
12) Susie Miller (USU) 9.100

All-Arround Results
1) Sarah Landes (USU) 39.050
2) Kalliah McCartney (SAC) 38.825