University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Maryland
Gophers Place First in Quad Meet
1/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team placed first with a score of 194.900 at a quad meet against Arizona (193.225), Maryland (192.350) and Alaska Anchorage (188.175) on Saturday evening at XFINITY Center in College Park, Md.
"I'm really proud of how the team rallied today," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "We had a tough start on bars, but came back strong on the last three events. Our beam was especially encouraging, and it was great to see the team perform with confidence."
As a team, the Gophers recorded team scores of 47.800 on uneven bars, 49.025 on beam, 49.175 on floor and 48.900 on vault.
Ciara Gardner led the pace for Minnesota, winning the all-around title and being named co-champion on beam with teammate Kaitlin Rahon. Minnesota also picked up first-place finishes from Bailey Abernathy on floor and freshman Paige Williams on vault.
Hannah Hitchcock scored a personal record of 9.775 on uneven bars to lead Minnesota with a fifth-place finish. Bailie Holst's 9.750 earned her ninth overall, while Gardner's 9.700 rounded out the Gophers' top-three performances.
Gardner and Rahon shared gold as they each notched career high scores of 9.875. Sophomore Rachel Cutler also scored a personal record of 9.800 for fourth place.
Abernathy placed first on floor for the second-straight meet with a 9.875. Gophers Gardner and Rahon once again matched scores (9.850), to tie for silver.
Williams led Minnesota, and the competition field, with a 9.875 on vault. Abernathy recorded a 9.800 to tie for second place, and Gardner and Holst tied for sixth with scores of 9.750.
Gardner and Holst placed first and second in the all-around competition. Gardner tallied a 39.175, while Holst recorded a 39.000.
Minnesota will travel to East Lansing, Mich. for a dual meet against Michigan State on Friday, Jan. 20. The first rotation is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Central.
