University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Travel To Oklahoma for Friday Meet
1/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Gophers hit the road to compete at Oklahoma on Friday, Jan. 30. The meet will begin at 7 p.m. A webcast of the meet will be available on Oklahoma’s athletics website, www.soonersports.com.
While the Gophers have competed against Oklahoma several times in the Stephenson era, they have not faced the Sooners on their home floor in the 17 years the Stephensons have been coaching at Minnesota. The last time Minnesota competed in Norman, Okla., was on March 8, 1992.
In Case You Missed It
Last Saturday’s competition against Michigan will be telecast on the Big Ten Network on a tape-delay basis. The meet will be aired this Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. central. Minnesota’s home meet against Iowa on March 14, as will as the Big Ten Championship on March 21, will also be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
On the National Scene
Minnesota slipped one spot to No. 21 in the national rankings this week after scoring 194.425 last weekend. In the event rankings, the Gophers are currently listed at No. 36 on vault, No. 9 on bars, are tied for No. 21 on beam, and No. 35 on floor.
In the Big Ten Rankings
Minnesota is currently the top-ranked team in the Big Ten on uneven bars, where they rank No. 9 nationally.
Individually, all around performers Alexis Russell and Carmelina Carabajal are currently ranked second and third, respectively, in the Big Ten. Russell is tied for No. 7 in the floor exercise rankings as well. Carabajal is also ranked No. 5 on vault and No. 3 on balance beam.
Kristin Furukawa is ranked No. 6 and Yuri Nagai is ranked No. 8 among bars performers in the Big Ten. Jamie Bullock is ranked fourth on balance beam.
Steady Improvement
Minnesota recorded its best team scores of the season on bars, beam, and total score in last weekend’s meet against Michigan. The Gophers’ bars score of 48.975 bettered the previous high of 48.900. The team’s beam score of 49.050 was more than half a point better than the previous high of 48.525 on beam.
Beam Team Bounces Back
After recording three falls on beam at Denver (Jan. 17), Minnesota rebounded to record it’s best beam score of the season last weekend against Michigan. Five of six beam competitors recorded their best beam score of the season, and two gymnasts set personal-best marks. Jamie Bullock placed second overall with her personal-best score of 9.850, while Kndra Elm set a career-high with a 9.700 to tie for ninth place. Carmelina Carabajal (9.900, first overall), Angela Walker (9.825, third overall), and Alexis Russell (9.775) each tallied their best beam score in 2009.
Russell Returns to All Around
In last weekend’s meet, junior Alexis Russell returned to all around competition for the first time this season, and did so with great success. Russell tied her personal-best scores in the all around (39.175) and on uneven bars (9.825). She also recorded her best scores of the 2009 season on beam (9.775) and floor (9.800). She was the team’s top scorer on floor, and tied for the best all around score with Carmelina Carabajal.
Top of the Top
Carmelina Carabajal’s beam score of 9.900 last weekend was the top individual score on any event by a Minnesota gymnast this season.
Last Meet Recap: vs. Michigan
The No. 20 Golden Gophers lost a hard-fought battle again No. 19 Michigan at the Sports Pavilion. The final score was 194.425-194.850 in favor of Michigan.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Minnesota had three all around performers for the first time this season. Alexis Russell and Carmelina Carabajal 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.
About Oklahoma
The No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners are 1-2 on the season, and are coming off a loss to Arkansas in their home opener on Jan. 26. Oklahoma’s best score of the season is a 197.175.
Coming Up Next Week: Iowa State
The Gophers renew their border rivalry with the Iowa State Cyclones with a home meet on Sat., Feb. 7. The meet will begin at 6 p.m., and will be be webcast on www.gophersports.com.
Players Mentioned
