University of Minnesota Athletics
Gymnasts to Compete at Michigan Saturday
2/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Gophers hit the road for a dual meet at Michigan on Saturday evening. The competition will begin at 6 p.m. central. Fans can follow the meet with free live coverage as both live scoring and a live video webcast will be available on the Michigan website, mgoblue.com.
National Rankings
Minnesota slipped one spot to No. 26 in the GymInfo National Rankings this week. The Gophers are listed among the top 25 in three events: No. 22 on bars (48.555 average), No. 23 on floor (48.650 average), and No. 25 on beam (48.255 average).
In the individual rankings, Alexis Russell is ranked No. 18 in the nation on both uneven bars and floor exercise. In the Big Ten rankings, Russell is No. 3 on bars as well as the all around, and No. 2 on floor.
Another All Around Win
Minnesota’s top returning all around competitor, Alexis Russell, has been the all around champion at all three home meets this season, and has been Minnesota’s top all around scorer at all five meets in 2010. Russell’s top score this season was her winning tally of 39.325 at the Best of Minnesota meet on Feb. 6.
Russell Consistent on Bars
Senior Alexis Russell has earned scores of 9.825 or better in every competition this season. Her top score was a 9.875 in the season opener against Denver. She tallied a 9.850 at home against Michigan State and at the Best of Minnesota, and earned marks of 9.825 in the two away meets this season, at Nebraska and Penn State.
Improvement on Beam
Minnesota tallied its best beam score of the season in last weekend’s competition. Kristin Furukawa tied her personal best beam score (9.875), the best beam score by a Gopher this season. Alexis Russell had her best beam score of the season with a 9.825.
Last Meet Recap: Best of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota took first place with a score of 194.95 in the annual Best of Minnesota meet. Senior Alexis Russell was the all around champion, and took first place on vault, bars and floor.
The Gophers earned a 48.475 on vault, led by Russell and Lucy Ennis who tied for first place with scores of 9.775. Ennis tied her personal best score. Kylie Smith also tied her career high score on vault with a 9.70 to place third overall.
In the second rotation, Minnesota scored 48.725 on bars. Alexis Russell earned a 9.85 to win the event. Kendra Elm and Kristin Furukawa tied for second place with scores of 9.775. Furukawa’s score was her best this year. Freshman Janell Campbell competed on bars for the first time in her collegiate career and earned a 9.60.
Minnesota compiled a 48.875 on balance beam, the team’s best beam score this season. Kristin Furukawa led the way for the Gophers, earning a 9.875 to win the event and tie her personal best score in the event. Alexis Russell placed second with a 9.825, her best beam score of the 2010 season. Ana Balboa rounded out the top three with a 9.75.
The Gophers scored 48.875 on the floor exercise to complete the meet. Alexis Russell was the event winner with a 9.875. Amber Hammerschmidt and Kendra Elm tied for second place with marks of 9.775. Hammerrschmidt’s score was the best of her career. Ana Balboa was fourth with a 9.725, her best floor score this season.
In the all around competition, Alexis Russell took first place with a 39.325, her best all around score of the year. Kendra Elm also earned her best score of the 2010 season, compiling a 38.90.
Topping 195 Early
Minnesota earned its first score over 195 in just the third meet of the season, a dual against Michigan State. The last time the Gophers topped 195 so early in the season was in 2004, when Minnesota scored 195.325 against UCLA at the Sports Pavilion on Jan. 25.
Coaching the Gophers
Head coach Meg Stephenson is entering her 18th season as a coach with the Golden Gopher program and her 13th as a head coach. Stephenson was a co-head coach with husband Jim from 1998-2009 before taking the helm of the Minnesota program on her own this season.
Stephenson is assisted by Jenny Alf Hansen and Louie Johnson. Both Hansen and Johnson are Minnesota alums.
Coming Up Next Week: Illinois
The Gophers host Illinois on Feb. 20. The meet will begin at 6 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion.
Gopher Gymnastics on the internet
The remainder of Minnesota’s regular-season home meets will have a live webcast on the Gophers’ website at www.gophersports.com. Audio and video coverage of each regular-season home meet will be available to Gold Zone subscribers, with audio commentary by Gopher gymnastics alum Carmelina Carabajal.
Live scoring for all home meets will also be available on www.gophersports.com, free of charge.
Minnesota on the Big Ten Network
Minnesota will appear on the Big Ten Network three times this season. The home meet against Michigan State on Jan. 23 and the meet at Penn State on Jan. 30 will be telecast on a tape-delay basis. The Big Ten Championship will once again be televised live.
Players Mentioned
