University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Struggle in Loss to Iowa State
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Gophers started the meet on bars, and earned their highest event score of the night with a 48.9. Alexis Russell was the top performer for Minnesota, finishing second with a mark of 9.85 to tie her personal best bars score. Kristin Furukawa was the second-highest scorer for the team with a 9.825, while Julie Kinal earned a career-best 9.775. Iowa State earned a 48.775 on vault in the first rotation, so the Gophers led by .125 heading into the second rotation.
Minnesota tallied a 48.3 on vault in the second rotation, and was led by Carmelina Carabajal, who won the event with a 9.875. The vault win was Carabajal’s second of the season. The Cyclones tallied a 48.975 on bars in the second rotation, bringing Iowa State’s running total to 97.75, giving the home team a .550 lead over the Gophers (97.2) heading into the third rotation.
On floor exercise, the Gophers tallied a 47.35, and was hampered by three falls, counting two falls in the team score. Carmelina Carabajal was the top scorer for the team, tying for third place with a 9.85. Alexis Russell had a 9.825 for Minnesota, while Kendra Elm earned a 9.7. Iowa State widened its lead, earning a 47.625 on beam in the third rotation, bringing the running totals to145.375-144.55 in favor of the Cyclones.
The balance beam competition was a tough one for the Gophers, despite Carabajal’s event-winning performance and score of 9.8. The beam win was Carabajal’s fourth of the season. Four Minnesota gymnasts recoded falls on beam bringing the team score to a season-low 46.925. Iowa State opened up a huge gap in scoring in the final rotation, as the Cyclones earned their best score of the night on floor exercise with a 49.225.
Two Gophers competed in the all around competition, with Carabajal winning the title, earning a total score of 39.275. Russell finished third with a 38.35.
Minnesota now heads to Lincoln, Neb., where the Gophers will compete in the Master’s Classic on Sunday, along with Nebraska, UCLA and NC State.
Players Mentioned
