University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Big Ten Newcomer No. 9 Nebraska
2/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 16, 2012
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team welcomes No. 9-ranked Nebraska to the Sports Pavilion this weekend at 6 p.m. The Gophers are coming off a season-high score from the Best of Minnesota meet of 195.425 thanks to a pair of season-best scores on bars and beam.
This weekend's meet will be taped by the Big Ten Network, so it will not be available through Gopher All-Access. The meet will be replayed on BTN February 24 at 7 p.m.
Last meet: Best of Minnesota
Minnesota showcased why they are the best in Minnesota Saturday by scoring a season-best score of 195.425 at the annual Best of Minnesota meet. The Gophers were guided by sophomore Kayla Slechta, who tied three season-best scores and set a new all around superlative of 39.200.
Minnesota began the meet with a solid performance on vault, scoring a 48.725. The Gophers were led by freshman Jenny Covers, who tied a personal best score of 9.800. Coming in second and third, respectively, was Slechta with a 9.775 and freshman Cierra Tomson with a 9.750.
The Gophers continued their dominance as they headed into the second rotation on uneven bars. Senior Lucy Ennis was the meet's top performer in the event with a season-best score of 9.850. She was followed by Slechta, who tied a season best of 9.775, and Tomson, who tallied a 9.750. Minnesota ended the rotation with a score of 48.775, which is a season best on the event.
The Maroon and Gold followed their season-best score on bars with another season-best performance coming on balance beam, scoring a 48.925. Junior Shannon Golich put together an impressive routine for Minnesota and tallied a season-best score of 9.875. Slechta and fellow sophomore Dusti Russell were next in line as they each posted a 9.800, which tied a personal best for Slechta. Senior Briana Jones also had a solid routine as she set a new personal best with a 9.775.
Minnesota closed out the meet with having a trio of Gophers score a 9.800 or higher on floor while the team combined to tally a 49.000. Slechta and Russell tied for the meet high score as they each had a 9.850, which tied a season best for Slechta. Freshman Kylie Schermann rounded out the top three by tying her personal-best score of 9.800.
In the all around, Slechta claimed the crown with a personal-best score of 39.200 while Russell came in second and tied a career best of 39.025. Freshman Cierra Tomson rounded out the top three with a score of 38.850.
GymInfo Rankings
Minnesota began the season ranked No. 22 in the GymInfo Rankings, but since then, they have dropped out of the rankings to No. 26. In the event rankings, the Gophers are Top 25 in three events as a team: vault (19), beam (24) and floor (t-20).
Junior Shannon Golich is the lone Gopher ranked as an individual, and she is currently tied for 17th in the nation on the balance beam.
Staying Balanced and Setting the Bar High
Last weekend, the Gophers posted their highest uneven bars and balance beam scores of the season with a 48.775 and a 48.925. By achieving those scores last weekend, Minnesota recorded their highest team total of the season, 195.425.
Slechta Hits Midseason Form
In the past three meets, sophomore Kayla Slechta has recorded an all around score of at least 39.000. Last weekend at the Best of Minnesota meet, Slechta tallied a new career-high mark of 39.200. In 2011, she qualified for Nationals with a 39.025.
Cherwink Suffers Another Setback
Sophomore Justine Cherwink will miss the first half of the 2012 season, due to a torn achilles, which she suffered back in October. The Aledo, Texas native missed much of last season because of a similar injury but with the opposite leg. She is currently on schedule and a return this season is highly anticipated.
Saturday's Promotions
- Honoring the 2002 National Qualifying Team and 1982 Regional Championship Team
- College Night- free general admission for any/all college student with valid college ID. Free pizza will be available while supplies last.
- Faculty/Staff Night
- Free general admission for U of M faculty and staff. Up to 4 guests are welcome for free as well!
- Alumni Night (UMAA)
- Free general admission for UMAA members if they show their valid UMAA membership card
Next Week: No. 24 Iowa
Minnesota hits the road next weekend as they travel to Iowa City, Iowa to face the No. 24-ranked Hawkeyes. The meet will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 24. Iowa will also be hosting the Big Ten Championships on March 24.
Follow the Action
All home meets except the Nebraska meet can be watched live by signing up for Gopher All-Access. Each web stream will be accompanied with live commentary from former gymnasts Jamie Bullock and Jade Beattie DeSmidt. Live scoring updates can also be found on the schedule page at GopherSports.com.
Gopher Facebook/Twitter
For the latest and most updated information on Minnesota women's gymnastics check out the team on Facebook and Twitter.
Get Score Updates on Your Phone
Fans can get scoring updates from all Golden Gopher athletics through the Twitter account @GopherScores. Just find and follow @GopherScores, then set up your phone or mobile device to receive text updates.
