GYMNASTICS FINISHES SECOND AT WAC CHAMPIONSHIPS, BASGALL WINS BARS
3/22/2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In front of a sold out crowd at the Hornets Nest, the Sacramento State gymnastics team scored a season high 195.300 to finish second at the 2009 Western Athletic Conference Championships. Boise State, who entered the meet ranked 23rd nationally, scored 196.525 to finish first.
The Hornets’ total was not only the best of the year but ranks third in school history behind a 195.875 at the 2004 Salbasgeon Suites Invitational and a 195.400 at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship that same season.
On Saturday, Sacramento State did not count a fall en route to defeating 28th ranked Southern Utah (3rd, 195.175) and 34th ranked San Jose State (4th, 194.875). Cal State Fullerton (192.975) and Utah State (192.425) completed the six-team field.
“My goal was to have our seniors give us a chance to win a championship at home and we were close,” Sacramento State head coach Kim Hughes said. “You have to credit Boise State who was outstanding.
“The environment in the gym was charged and was great for the WAC. Everyone but on a great show.”
The Hornets opened the meet on beam and scored 48.575, which was the second best score of the meet. Traci Takeda opened the night with a 9.825 which was later matched by Eryn Stubblefield to tie for fifth overall and earn second team all-WAC honors for both gymnasts. Sacramento State also counted a season high 9.800 from Lissa Zamolo, a 9.500 by Lizzy Norvell and Alycia Chan’s 9.625.
Following a bye, the Hornets turned to floor where they scored a season best 49.025. The mark easily surpassed the team’s previous high of 48.800 which came against Illinois State on Jan. 30. Sacramento State used five scores which ranged between 9.750 and 9.875. The squad was led by Marina Borisova who tallied a 9.875 to finish in a six-way tie for second place to earn first team all-conference honors on floor for the third time in four years. Amber Basgall tied for eighth place overall with a career-best tying 9.825 and Chan contributed a 9.800.
Sacramento State’s biggest success came on vault where the team posted the fourth best vault score in school history with a 49.000. The mark was over a half-point better than the previous high of 2009 and was the best since 2006. Chan garnered first team all-WAC honors for the second consecutive year with a career best 9.900 to tie for second place. Basgall tied for fifth with a 9.850 to earn second team accolades. The Hornets also counted a 9.775 from Amanda Blauvelt, a 9.750 from Borisova and a 9.725 from Stubblefield.
The team closed the meet on bars and recorded another season high with a total of 48.750. The score continued a streak in which Sacramento State has averaged 48.733 over the last three meets. Basgall wowed the capacity crowd with a career best 9.900 to finish first in the meet and join Borisova (floor, twice) and Melissa Genovese (beam) as the only Hornets to win a WAC event title — the team joined the league in 2007.
“I’m just thrilled for Amber,” Hughes said. “To be able to bounce back after having knee surgery just a few weeks ago and perform like she did tonight on three events is incredible. It’s a great way for her to go out as a senior.”
Aside from Basgall, the Hornets also saw Blauvelt match her high with a 9.800 which tied for ninth. Lauren Dyson and Stubblefield each posted a 9.725 and Borisova added a 9.600.
Stubblefield used four scores of at least 9.725 to record a personal best 39.050 in the all-around an place second. Southern Utah’s Elise Wheeler took home the top spot with a score of 39.325. Borisova was seventh at 38.425.
After the meet, the WAC presented their season awards which were highlighted by Wheeler being named Gymnast of the Year. San Jose State’s Thomasina Wallace, who finished first on floor at the championships, was the Freshman of the Year. Boise State’s Tina Bird and Neil Resnick were the Coaches of the Year.
The other event titles on Saturday where won by Boise State’s Shaniece Craft on vault (9.925) and Kelsey Lang on beam (9.950).
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In front of a sold out crowd at the Hornets Nest, the Sacramento State gymnastics team scored a season high 195.300 to finish second at the 2009 Western Athletic Conference Championships. Boise State, who entered the meet ranked 23rd nationally, scored 196.525 to finish first.
