SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento State gymnastics team jumped to sixth in the NCAA West Region rankings after recording scores of 194.100 (March 8) at Spartan Gym and 193.500 (March 10) at Hornet Gym last weekend. The top six schools in the region earn a trip to Corvallis, Ore., on Saturday, April 6, to compete in the 2002 NCAA Regionals. The Hornets’ only regional appearance occurred during the 1999 season.Last week, the Hornets were ranked eighth with a Regional Qualifying Score of 191.690 behind Boise State (192.405, sixth) and Cal (192.450, seventh). With its consecutive scores of 193 or higher, Sacramento State now sits in the six spot with an RQS of 193.110, ahead of Boise State (193.015, seventh) and Cal (192.405, eighth). The Hornets’ RQS average is the highest in program history.
Sacramento State has recorded scores of 193 or higher in a program-best four-consecutive meets dating back to Feb. 22 at Seattle Pacific. The Hornets recorded scores of 194.475 (Feb. 22), 193.175 (March 3), 194.100 (March 8) and 193.500 (March 10) in that span of time. Two of the team’s scores (194.475, 194.100) place second and fifth, respectively, in the program’s top five all-time team scores.
The Hornets can raise their RQS with higher scores in the next three meets. A team’s RQS is registered by taking the top six scores of the season (three home, three away) and removing the top score from the average equation. Currently the squad is still counting a score of 190.850 on its away scores average and can drop that mark with a higher tally at either Cal (March 16) or the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships (March 23).
Sacramento State will compete in back-to-back meets this weekend beginning with its final home contest of the year on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. in Hornet Gym. The squad will then head to Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. to face Cal, Boise State and San Jose State in Haas Pavilion.
