University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Gustavus Adolphus College
Seniors Shine in Regular-Season Finale at Home
2/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 19 University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team placed first of four teams on senior night at the Sports Pavilion with a score of 196.200.
The Gophers swept the top three spots in each event. Senior Lindsay Mable won three event titles for the Maroon and Gold in the last home meet of her storied career. Fellow senior, Rachel Haines, also claimed an event title to close out her final home meet.
"There were a lot of highlights tonight," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "Vaulting wasn't as quite as good as I was hoping for tonight, so that was a little disappointing. A lot of kids are coming through and doing what we have been practicing, so that has been really fun to see. We are still kind of waiting to put it all together and shine. We know it's in us so we can't wait for that."
Minnesota started the day on Vault, where the team scored 48.800. Mable placed first with a score of 9.875, followed by Haines with a 9.800 and sophomore Ciara Gardner who earned a 9.775.
"Ciara was great tonight, really on all four events," said Hansen. "This was probably the best meet she's ever had, so that was really fun to see. In addition to that, Rachel had a great night. She performed really well."
On Uneven Bars, the Gophers tallied a 49.150, with Mable claiming first place with a 9.925. Sophomore Abby DeMuse claimed second with a 9.875 and Gardner placed third with a 9.825.
Through two rotations, Minnesota was in first with a score of 97.950.
The Maroon and Gold moved to Balance Beam, where they tallied a 49.050. Haines scored a 9.875, which was good enough for first place. Senior Hanna Nordquist claimed second with a score of 9.850 followed by Mable with 9.800.
In the final rotation, Floor, Minnesota notched a 49.150. Mable tallied a 9.950, claiming first, followed by Gardner and DeMuse with scores of 9.875 and 9.825, respectively.
"One thing we'll continue to work on is our landings. We didn't stick one vault so we got to start sticking those landings a little bit more and being more consistent on floor. We are a great floor team, we have four kids hit or five, but not all six. And that's what we need on that event and really on all the events. We just really need everyone to be able to be on. It's hard to have a fall because then it kind of takes away from the momentum and where we want to be so just having everyone hit."
"It was a great crowd tonight to help us celebrate senior night and Minnesota gymnastics," said Mable. "I think having all four teams here from Minnesota is a really special night anyway, but to do it on Senior Night, it was really special. I think it's a little bittersweet; it's sweet, because we know we're not done, but being a senior is sad, because there's a lot of memories in this building. Going out on a high-note is very memorable."
LOOKING AHEAD
Minnesota will travel to Colorado for a double-meet weekend. On Friday, the team will face Denver, the No. 13 team in the country, with action set to begin at 7:00 p.m. MT. On Sunday, the Maroon and Gold will head to Colorado Springs to go head-to-head with the Air Force Falcons in a 1:00 p.m. MT meet.
FOLLOW THE GOPHERS
Are you following the Gophers on the road or from home? Make sure to follow @GopherWGym on Twitter and use the team's hashtag #AlwaysGolden. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Instagram by "liking" Minnesota Women's Gymnastics on Facebook or following the Gophers on Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
