University of Minnesota Athletics
Slechta Qualifies for NCAA Championships
4/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Golden Gophers finished tied for fourth place at the NCAA Regional Championships today in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Gophers scored 195.225 to tie for fourth in a tough regional field which featured six teams ranked among the nation's top 25.
Freshman Kayla Slechta qualified to compete at the NCAA Championships in two weeks with her all around performance, placing fourth with a 39.125.
Minnesota had a bye in the first rotation, and competed on bars in the second rotation. The Gophers compiled a team score of 48.40, led by seniors Kristin Furukawa and Kendra Elm. Furukawa and Elm each earned a 9.775. Junior Lucy Ennis scored 9.725, freshman Kayla Slechta scored 9.65. Sophomore Janell Campbell rounded out the counting scores for the Gophers with a 9.475.
On balance beam in the third rotation, Minnesota tallied a 48.925. Sophomore Shannon Golich and freshman Dusti Russell were the team leaders, each earning a 9.825. Golich and Russell tied for eighth place. Kayla Slechta earned a career-best 9.80. Kristin Furukawa scored 9.75, while senior Ana Balboa scored 9.725.
After another bye in the fourth rotation, the Gophers competed on floor in the fifth rotation. Janell Campbell and Kayla Slechta led the way for Minnesota, each earning a 9.875 to tie for sixth place. Campbell’s score tied her best this season. Dusti Russell earned a 9.85, while Shannon Golich scored 9.825. Ana Balboa completed the counting scores for the Gophers, earning a 9.775. As a team, Minnesota scored 49.20.
Minnesota finished the competition on the vault, where they earned a 48.70, led by Kayla Slechta’s 9.80. Slechta tied for 10th place on vault. Four Gophers scored 9.725: Justine Cherwink, Shannon Golich. Lucy Ennis, and Kendra Elm.
Kayla Slechta finished in fourth place in the all around, earning a 39.125, the second-best all around score of her career. She has earned a spot at the NCAA Championships as an individual competitor, and will compete in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 14.
Players Mentioned
