University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Lose Close Battle with Michigan
1/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
In the first rotation, Minnesota tallied a 48.425 on vault. The top scorer for the Gophers was Carmelina Carabajal, who earned a 9.825 to place second overall, marking her best vault score of the season. Alexis Russell was third overall with a 9.775. Michigan competed on bars in the first rotation, and tallied a 49.000, so the Wolverines went into rotation two with a .575 lead.
Minnesota had their best bars score of the season with a 48.975 on the second rotation. Kristine Furukawa was the event champion, matching her personal-best score of 9.875. Alexis Russell tied for third overall, and also matched her personal-best bars score, earning a 9.825. With Michigan scoring a 48.625 on vault in the second rotation, Minnesota narrowed the scoring gap to just .225 at 97.625-97.400.
The Gophers earned their top beam score of the year, and their first event total over 49.0 for the season, with a 49.050. Minnesota swept the top three spots on beam, and showed much improvement over last week’s beam performance. Last weekend at Denver, Minnesota recorded three falls, but had no falls against Michigan today. Carmelina Carabajal tallied a 9.900 to take first place on beam, the best individual score for the Gophers in any event this season. Jamie Bullock was second, earning her personal-best score with a 9.825. Angela Walker placed third, earning a 9.825. Michigan earned a 49.025 on floor in the third rotation, so the running total after three rotations was 146.650-146.450 in favor of the Wolverines.
Minnesota struggled on floor in the final rotation, earning a team score of 47.975. Alexis Russell was the team’s top performer, tying her personal best with a 9.800 to place fourth overall. Angela Walker earned a 9.775, her top floor score of the season. Carmelina Carabajal and Kendra Elm each earned marks of 9.725. Jade Beattie was unable to complete her routine after an injury on her first tumbling pass, forcing the Gophers to count Yuri Nagai’s score of 8.950 in the team score.
Minnesota had three all around performers for the first time this season. Alexis Russell and Carmelina each had marks of 39.175 to tie for third place. Russell’s score tied her personal best. Kendra Elm was also an all around performer, and earned a 38.375.
The Gophers are on the road next weekend, and will compete at Oklahoma on Friday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Minnesota returns home to the Sports Pavilion on Saturday, Feb. 7 to take on Iowa State at 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
