University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Iowa
Holst, Williams Earn Gold in Regular Season Finale
3/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota placed fourth at the Big Five Qualifier meet in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday afternoon. The Gophers scored a 194.825, behind Michigan (197.150), Iowa (196.400), Penn State (195.450), and ahead of Rutgers (192.650).
"It wasn't the meet we were hoping for," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "We had three strong events, but unfortunately we weren't aggressive going into the last event."
With five rotations in the competition, Minnesota's competed on floor, vault, uneven bars, beam and ended with a bye.
Minnesota started strong with a 49.300 on floor, and was led by rookie Paige Williams. Williams tied for gold with a personal record of 9.900. Bailey Abernathy tied for fourth with a 9.875, while Ciara Gardner and Bailie Holst tied for seventh with a pair of 9.850.
Williams again was the Gophers' top finisher on vault, tying for second with a 9.850. Holst picked up a 9.825, while Abernathy scored a 9.800. The Gophers totaled a 48.975.
On bars, Minnesota tallied a 49.025. Holst matched her season-high score with a 9.925 for third. Rookie Ivy Lu and Hannah Hitchcock each scored a 9.850 to tie for eighth. Hitchcock's performance was a personal record.
The Gophers had a tough day on beam, but were led by Holst and Gardner, tying for eighth with a 9.825. Huebert turned in a 9.650 to round up the top three for Minnesota. The team's event score was a 47.525.
Holst earned gold in the all-around competition, posting a 39.425. The score marked a personal record, and the team's top performance of the season. Gardner placed fourth with a 39.125.
"Bailie Holst had a career night and it was nice to see her come away with the win in the all-around," Hansen said.
Minnesota will travel to Piscataway, N.J. for the 2017 Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, March 18. With today's finish, the Gophers will compete in the earlier session of the meet along with Maryland, Michigan State and Rutgers.
Players Mentioned
