University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Finish Third, Carabajal Qualifies for NCAA Championships
4/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Minnesota finished in third place at the NCAA North Central Region Championships, held tonight at the Sports Pavilion. The Gophers scored a 195.275, their third-best score of the season. The Gophers’ score was the best at an NCAA Regional Championship since the team earned a 196.050 in 2002.
Junior Carmelina Carabajal earned a spot in the NCAA Championships as an individual all around competitor. Carabajal earned a total score of 39.275.
Utah won the meet with a score of 196.960, while Arkansas was second with a 196.125. Both teams have advanced to the NCAA Championships in Georgia in two weeks. Arizona was fourth with a 194.275, Southern Utah was fifth, scoring a 194.050, and Iowa was sixth with a 193.875.
The Gophers competed on floor in the first rotation, and earned a score of 48.850. Carmelina Carabajal was the top scorer for the team, earning a 9.850 to tie for sixth place. Amanda Miles earned a 9.800, while Alexis Russell and Ashley Mutchler tallied marks of 9.750. Kendra Elm earned a 9.700 to round out the scoring routines for the Gophers.
In the second rotation, the Gophers competed on vault, earning a total of 48.550. Alexis Russell and Carmelina Carabajal vaulted fifth and sixth in the rotation, and earned the teams highest scores as they each tallied a 9.800 to tie for 11th place. Angela Walker earned a 9.725, Ashley Mutchler scored 9.625, and Kristin Furukawa scored 9.600 to contribute to the team score.
Minnesota had a bye in rotation three, and returned to score a 48.900 on bars in the fourth rotation. Alexis Russell, the Gophers’ first performer on bars, earned the team’s best score with a 9.825. Russell tied for second place overall, and was Minnesota’s top placing gymnast in the meet. Kristin Furukawa earned a 9.800, the Gophers’ second-best score. Carmelina Carabajal earned a 9.775, while Kendra Elm and Angela Walker each tallied a 9.750 to count toward the team score.
The Gophers saved the best for last, as they earned their best team score of the meet with a 48.975 on beam. Carmelina Carabajal was the team’s top scorer, earning a 9.850 to tie for third place. Amanda Miles and Alexis Russell each tallied a 9.800 to round out the top three for the Gophers and tie for seventh place overall. Angela Walker’s 9.775 and Ashley Mutchler’s 9.750 also counted toward the team score.
In the all around, Carmelina Carabajal tallied a 39.275, just .025 shy of her personal best score. She was the top all around competitor who was not a part of a team advancing to the NCAA Championship, so she has qualified to compete at the national meet as an individual all arounder. Alexis Russell earned a career-high all around total of 39.175, while Angela Walker earned a 38.425.
Carabajal will compete at the NCAA Championship on April 24 in Athens, Ga.
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
Seniors Sign "M"
Monday, May 04
Press Conference: Gymnastics Season Wrap
Wednesday, April 22
Highlights: NCAA Finals
Saturday, April 18
NCAA Finals Hype
Saturday, April 18