GYMNASTICS SCORES SEASON HIGH, BREAKS BEAM RECORD, TO WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE WAC TITLE

3/31/2007

CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Sacramento State gymnastics team scored a season high 195.275 to capture its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title, Saturday evening at Southern Utah.

The Hornets used a school record performance on beam to help hold off the host Thunderbirds who scored 195.225 to place second. Utah State, which had the highest average coming into the meet, finished third at 195.175 while San Jose State (193.750) took fourth. Cal State Fullerton (193.625) and Boise State (193.300) rounded out the field.

The win also secured Sacramento State’s second consecutive trip to the NCAA West Regional, marking the first time in school history that the team has qualified in back-to-back years.

The Hornets opened the meet with a bye and then began on bars. Junior Alexis Tsurumoto anchored the lineup and responded with a team high 9.775 to tie for sixth place overall. The team was also helped by a 9.725 from sophomore Marina Borisova and a 9.700 from freshman Lauren Dyson.

The second rotation solidified the team’s title hopes. One week after setting the school record with a 49.100 on beam, Sacramento State posted a 49.325. Junior Tiffany Bass opened with a 9.850 and was followed by freshman Lissa Zamolo who matched that score. Freshman Eryn Stubblefield continued the streak of 9.850s before Nicole Giao scored 9.675. Borisova then scored 9.875 — which placed second overall — only to be topped by junior Melissa Genovese who scored 9.900.

Following a second bye, the team rotated to floor and posted a team score of 48.550. Borisova, which has led the WAC all season, did not disappoint tying for first and winning her second conference title in as many seasons with a 9.850. Genovese and junior Tiffany Bass also contributed with a 9.775 and 9.725, respectively.

Sacramento State headed into the final rotation trailing Utah State by two-tenths. However, the Hornets scored 48.875 and the Aggies managed only 48.525 on bars. Borisova had the highest vault on the team, scoring 9.825 to tie for fifth place. Bass was second on the team at 9.800 and senior Sara Willams and Giao tied for eighth overall at 9.775.

With the quick-finishing vault over, Sacramento State had to watch the scoreboard to see in Southern Utah would overtake them for the top spot. The Thunderbirds closed the gap and needed a 9.775 on their final beam routine to tie for the title but only received a  9.725.

Borisova finished second in the all-around with a four-event total of 39.275. Utah State’s Jessica Parenti-Otte was first at 39.350. Borisova was named first team all-WAC in the all-around as well as on beam and floor and was second team on vault. Genovese earned first team honors on beam and was named to the second team on floor. Other honorees included Tsurumoto (second team on bars) and Bass, Zamolo and Stubblefield (first team on beam).

The team is the third Sacramento State squad to win a conference title this year. Volleyball won both the Big Sky regular season and tournament crowns and men's track and field captured the Big Sky indoor title.

TEAM SCORES
1. Sacramento State 195.275
2. Southern Utah 195.225
3. Utah State 195.175
4. San Jose State 193.750
5. Cal State Fullerton 193.625
6. Boise State 193.300.