MEILLER TIES FOR FIRST ON BARS, GYMNASTICS POSTS SEASON HIGH AT SOUTHERN UTAH
1/21/2011
Nicole Meiller scored 9.800 to tie for first place on bars against Southern Utah.
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Behind Nicole Meiller's first place tie on bars, the Sacramento State gymnastics team easily produced its highest score of the season in a dual meet against Southern Utah, Friday at Centrum Arena. However, the host Thundebirds remained undefeated on the season with a 195.750-190.950 victory.
Meiller, who was has been battling a series of injuries through the early season, anchored the bars lineup during the first rotation and led the team with a 9.800. That score tied her with SUU's Caitlin Kennedy and Brooke Cersosimo for the top spot.
Sacramento State totaled 47.775 during the rotation and was aided by a 9.750 from senior Amanda Blauvelt, a 9.650 from Emiko Ono and Bethany Barrick's 9.575.
In the second rotation, the Hornets scored 48.200 on vault, breaking the 48-point plateau for the third time in as many meets. Even without Meiller and Blauvelt in the lineup, Sacramento State was balanced with all six gymnasts scoring 9.525 or better. Freshman Kailey Hansen tied for second in the meet, and led the team, with a 9.750. Senior Amanda Bieber and freshman Katie Osaki each contributed a 9.650. The team also counted a 9.600 from freshman Maddie Montoya and Kaila Kilwein's 9.550.
Sacramento State traveled to floor for the third rotation and scored 47.975. Hansen paced the team with a 9.775 which tied the Ventura, Calif., native for fourth place. Osaki was close behind with a 9.725 and Kilwein provided a 9.650. The team's score could have been higher but the Hornets were forced to count four out-of-bounds in their five scores and had a fall in their sixth routine.
The final rotation took the team to beam but saw Sacramento State get off to a rocky start with falls in its first two routines. Blauvelt put things on track with a 9.725. She was followed by a pair of 9.650s from freshman Elideth Guerrero and senior Lissa Zamolo.
Aside from Meiller's tie for first on bars, Southern Utah accounted for each of the event winners. Lindsey Schultz was first on vault with a 9.800. Alyssa Click and Ari Lamb tied for the top spot on beam with a 9.875 and Sannon Coughlin won on floor with a 9.900. Lamb also captured the all-around title behind a four-event total of 39.100.
Sacramento State will next compete at San Jose State on Friday, Jan. 28.
