HANSEN WINS ON FLOOR, GYMNASTICS FINISHES SECOND IN SEASON OPENER
1/7/2011
Kailey Hansen finished first on floor in her first meet as a Hornet.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A victory from freshman Kailey Hansen on floor and a strong team effort on vault, highlighted Sacramento State's gymnastics season opener on Friday at the Hornets Nest. As a team, the Hornets scored 185.875 to finish second in the four-team meet.
Central Michigan, which ended last season ranked 22nd nationally, captured the team title with a total of 193.575. Alaska Anchorage was third at 185.725 while Wisconsin-La Crosse scored 180.050 to finish fourth.
Sacramento State began the meet on vault and scored 48.125 despite having just one returner from last year's lineup competing. Senior Amanda Blauvelt opened with a 9.575 and was followed by a 9.626 from freshman Maddie Montoya. Fellow freshman Katie Osaki added a 9.675 before senior Amanda Bieber recorded a 9.725. Hansen provided the final score with a 9.525.
That total placed the Hornets within striking distance of CMU following the first rotation. The Chippewas totaled 48.550 on beam to hold a slim edge.
Sacramento State's deficit grew quickly during the second rotation as the Hornets struggled through bars, scoring 44.425. The team had four falls and several other deductions to drop nearly four points behind Central Michigan at the midway point. Junior Emiko Ono led the Hornets with a 9.325 to finish tied for eighth.
During the third rotation, Blauvelt recorded a career-high 9.725 on beam to tie for third place. Freshman Elideth Guerrero finished in seventh place with a 9.500. Overall, the Hornets scored 46.225.
Sacramento State closed the meet on floor with a total of 47.100. Freshman Katie Osaki and Blauvelt each scored 9.550 to help spark the team. Hansen ended the night with a 9.700 in her first collegiate floor routine to win the individual title and lift the Hornets into second place.
With the exception of floor, Central Michigan claimed all of the event individual honors. Darrian Tissenbaum finished first on vault with a 9.825. Alyssa Wilson won bars with a 9.800. Emily Heinz and Andrea de la Garza tied for the top spot on beam at 9.775. De la Garza also won the all-around with a total of 38.725.
Sacramento State will next compete at the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 14, against Kent State.
NOTES: Blauvelt competed in her first all-around as a Hornet and finished fourth with a total of 37.900…Sacramento State was without the services of Cayla Boyce (shoulder) and Jasmine Lipka (illness).
TEAM SCORES: 1. Central Michigan 193.575, 2. Sacramento State 185.875, 3. Alaska Anchorage 185.725, 4. Wisconsin-La Crosse 180.050.
