Junior Toni Petersen (Top) Sophomore Binta Coleman (Middle) Senior Lori Gillette (Below) |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State raised its program-best streak of 193-plus scores to four as the Hornet gymnastics team defeated San Jose State 193-500-192.450 in a rematch of West Region rivals Sunday afternoon at Hornet Gym. The Hornets defeated the Spartans on Friday, March 8, at Spartan Gym to begin their week.The Hornets raised their record to 8-5 on the season while the Spartans dropped to 11-6.
San Jose State led after three rotations after the Hornets fell twice on the balance beam for a score of 47.575 compared to the Spartans 48.900 floor score. In the final rotation, the Hornets recorded a season-high 49.000 on floor compared to the Spartans 47.900 on beam to win the meet.
The Hornets received career highs on floor from sophomore Binta Coleman (9.825) and freshman Nirvana Zaher (9.825) and junior Toni Petersen placed first on the event with a meet-high 9.9. Freshmen Stefanie Aeder also contributed to the squad’s mark with a score of 9.8.
Petersen, a native of Fresno, Calif., placed tied for first on vault with a career-high 9.775, third on beam with a 9.7 and second all-around with a score of 38.750. On March 8, Petersen sat out of two competitions (vault, bars) due to a head injury which ended her streak of five-consecutive meets with the team’s best all-around score. She has now led the squad in all-around competition in six of nine meets.
Coleman, a native of Elk Grove, Calif., also tied for first on vault with a score of 9.775. The sophomore also contributed to the Hornets’ score with her marks on bars (9.8) and all-around (37.875).
Lori Gillette, a native of Encinitas, Calif., placed first on bars with a score of 9.85. The senior has now led the squad on the apparatus in seven of nine meets this season.
Also placing well for the Hornets were freshman Jessica Hoffman (9.7, bars), senior Melissa Prescott (9.675, beam), senior Wendy Baisdon (9.65, beam) and Zaher (9.725, vault).
Freshman Meloney Greer suffered a cut and bruise on her foot while competing on bars and was unable to complete her routine. She will be reevaluated on Monday to determine her status for next weekend.
Junior Dani Albright led all competitors on beam (9.775) and all-around (39.250) to lead the Spartans. Albright also tied for first on bars (9.850), placed second on floor (9.875) and third on vault (9.75). Sophomore Shirla Choy also tied for first on bars (9.85) and placed third all-around with a score of 38.225. Seniors Kasey Carter (9.75, beam) and Kimmy Cianci (9.85, floor) rounded out the Spartans in the top three.
Sacramento State will host its final home meet of the season on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. as the Hornets host UC Davis at Hornet Gym.
