University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers to Host Annual Best of Minnesota Meet
2/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 9, 2012
| Best of Minnesota | |
| Tickets | Purchase Online |
| Date | Saturday, February 11, 2012 |
| Time | 6 p.m. CT |
| Location | Sports Pavilion (5,840) |
| Television | Gopher All-Access |
| Live Stats | |
| Season Statistics | Minnesota |
| Meet Notes | |
| Social Media | Facebook | Twitter |
Last meet: No. 5 Oklahoma/No. 8 Nebraska/Centenary
Behind a trio of career-best scores from sophomore Dusti Russell, the University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team posted a 194.625 at the high-profile quadrangular meet Friday night in Norman, Okla. The No. 25-ranked Gophers claimed third place out of four teams while No. 9 Nebraska and No. 5 Oklahoma went one-two.
Russell headed the charge for Minnesota as she tallied three career-best scores on the night. The Oshkosh, Wis. native first began the meet with a season-high score on beam earning a 9.850, which was good enough for a fifth place tie. Her next top routine came in the third rotation as she tallied a 9.775 on vault. The sophomore capped off her career night with a 9.750 on bars, which was matched by fellow Gophers sophomore Kayla Slechta and freshman Cierra Tomson.
All together, Russell achieved a 39.025 in the all around, which topped her previous best of 38.925. She would claim fourth place in the all around.
The Maroon and Gold started the meet off hot as they put together their best beam score of the season, 48.900. Russell led the team with a 9.850, but freshman Kylie Schermann followed closely as she posted a personal best 9.825.
Schermann continued to tally impressive scores as she tied a season-best score on floor with a 9.800. As a whole, the Gophers didn't fare as well in the event as the freshman, recording a 48.425. Stephenson praised junior Janell Campbell for putting together a good floor routine, after missing the first four meets of the season due to a minor foot injury.
Minnesota rebounded on vault as they earned their second-highest score of the season, 48.900. Junior Shannon Golich, who was vaulting for the first time since January 14, surged the Gophers in the third rotation as she tallied a 9.825 while Slechta finished with a 9.800, respectively.
The Golden Gophers finished the night on bars with a 48.400. Russell, Slechta and Tomson were the front runners for Minnesota as they each recorded a 9.750. Senior Lucy Ennis finished the rotation for the Maroon and Gold as she earned a 9.725.
Slechta would finish the night with a 39.000 all around score, which is her second straight meet of earning a 39.000 or higher.
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 (t-25) and floor (21).
Best at the Best of Minnesota
Last season, Minnesota earned its highest score of the season at the Best of Minnesota meet with a 196.125. Currently, the Gophers' highest score is a 195.150.
Gophers Poised on Beam
Last weekend the Gophers posted their highest balance beam score of the season with a 48.900. With that score, the Maroon and Gold sit tied for 25th place in the country on the event.
Slechta Hits Midseason Form
In the past two meets, sophomore Kayla Slechta has recorded an all around score of at least 39.000. Last season, she qualified of Nationals with an all around score of 39.125.
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
- Amber Hammerschmidt and Lucy Ennis Community Night
- All community members of Rosemount and Roseville, as well as friends and family members of Amber Hammerschmidt and Lucy Ennis can receive $2 general admission!
- Girl Scout Night
- Package A includes game ticket, Girl Scout patch, and entry to pregame pizza party for just $8! (Limit of 100)
- Package B includes game ticket, Girl Scout patch, and candy/soda coupon for concession stand all for just $8!
- Cancer Awareness Night
- "Always Dreaming"-night in honor of Frank Kara, former Director of Athletic Compliance at the University of Minnesota.
- Students from Gustavus, Hamline, and Winona State can receive free general admission by showing a valid student ID!
Next Week: No. 8 Nebraska
The Gophers remain at home next weekend as they welcome Big Ten newcomer No. 8 Nebraska. The two faced one another last weekend in a quad-meet in Norman, Okla. The Huskers won the competition while Minnesota finished third.
This meet will not be on Gopher All-Access because the Big Ten Network will be shooting the meet, and it will run on BTN on February 24 at 8 p.m.
Follow the Action
All home meets 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 stat 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.
Players Mentioned
