McCARTNEY LEADS GYMNASTICS TO WIN OVER No. 27 SOUTHERN UTAH
2/3/2012
Kalliah McCartney set the school freshman record with a 39.200 to win the all-around.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Freshman Kalliah McCartney finished first on floor, vault and in the all-around and junior Nicole Meiller won on bars to lift Sacramento State to a 193.725-192.800 victory over No. 27 Southern Utah on Friday at the Hornets Nest.
McCartney totaled 39.200 in the all-around to set a Sacramento State freshman record in the all-around. The Vancouver, Wash., native tied for first on vault with a 9.775, was third on bars with a career high 9.750, tied for second on beam with a 9.775 and won floor with a career-high 9.900. Her score is tied for the ninth-best in school history and the highest since Marina Borisova also scored 39.200 on March 13, 2009.
Meiller also set a career high with a 9.850 to win bars for the second time this season. The junior's score included a 9.900 from one judge.
Trailing by just over a half point heading into the final rotation, Sacramento State rallied for the win behind a team score of 49.050 on floor. Kaila Kilwein opened with a 9.750 and was followed by a 9.700 from Dallas Smith. From that point, Katie Osaki and Cayla Beutler each scored 9.850 before McCartney added her 9.900.
Southern Utah scored 47.625 on beam during the final rotation but were forced to count a fall.
The Hornets' only other lead during the meet came after the first rotation where Sacramento State scored 48.550 on vault compared to a 47.800. The Hornets counted five scores of at least 9.650.
SUU retook the lead during the second rotation with a strong vault which resulted in a team score of 48.700. The Hornets scored 47.725 on bars after counting a fall. Along with Meiller's 9.850, McCartney scored 9.750 and Emiko Ono added a 9.575.
The Thunderbirds extended their lead in the third rotation with a 48.675 on floor while the Hornets scored 48.400 on beam. SUU received 9.850s from Brittney Jensen and Caitlin Kennedy but had only five scores after Michaela Chenroch injured her ankle on her opening pass.
On beam, the Hornets had five scores of at least 9.600. McCartney and Elideth Guerrero finished in a three-way tie for second with 9.775s.
Sacramento State will next compete at UC Davis on Friday, Feb. 10, against the Aggies and No. 8 Oregon State.
Team Results
1) Sacramento State 193.725
2) Southern Utah 192.800
