University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Big Ten Championships
Gophers Place Eighth at B1G Championships
3/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota scored a 195.175 at the 2017 Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships to finish eighth out of the ten conference programs. Ciara Gardner, Hannah Hitchcock and Paige Williams were named to the All-Championships Team.
"After a difficult start on beam, they really rallied," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "I was really proud of them for that. They never gave up. We had our best bars performance of the year today, which was really exciting."
The Golden Gophers scored a 49.050 on vault, 49.125 on uneven bars, 47.850 on beam and 49.150 on floor.
Freshman Williams earned a share of bronze on vault with a 9.875, which matched her career high. It was the top vault score from the first session, earning her a spot on the All-Championships Team. Holst tied her personal record with a 9.850 for eighth. Abernathy's 9.825 earned her 17th place.
Gardner led Minnesota on beam with a 9.775 for 25th place overall. Seniors Bailie Holst and Kaitlin Rahon followed. Holst scored a 9.750 for 30th, while Rahon's 9.725 placed 37th.
Hitchcock posted a big personal record of 9.875 on uneven bars for a share of fifth place. Her score led session one, placing Hitchcock on the All-Championships Team. Holst scored a 9.850 for ninth, while freshman Ivy Lu finished 15th with a 9.825.
Williams and Bailey Abernathy each posted a 9.900 on floor to tie for fifth. The score matched Williams's personal best. Gardner picked up a 9.850 for 16th place.
Gardner was the top finisher from the first session in the all-around competition with a 39.200, which secured her a spot on the All-Championships Team. Gardner's score finished eighth overall. Holst tallied a 39.000 for 14th.
"We have a really young team and this season has given them a source for confidence," Hansen said.
NCAA Selection Show
Minnesota will watch the official NCAA Selection Show on Monday, March 20 to determine which NCAA Regional they will attend. The Gophers locked in their spot with today's score. There will be six regionals consisting of six teams, four all-around competitors (not on a qualifying team), and two individual specialists per event (not on a qualifying team) will be conducted at predetermined campus sites on Saturday, April 1.
"It's going to be a new day, start from scratch, and we know what we're capable of," Hansen said. "We just have to go in and work for every tenth and show everyone what Minnesota is made of."
Final Team Scores
1. Michigan, 197.300
2. Illinois, 196.875
3. Iowa, 196.725
4. Nebraska, 196.475
5. Ohio State, 195.525
T6. Penn State, 195.200
T6. Michigan State, 195.200
8. Minnesota, 195.175
9. Rutgers, 194.700
10. Maryland, 193.625
Individual Awards
Gymnast of the Year: Nicole Artz, Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Taylor Houchin, Nebraska
Coach of the Year: Larissa Libby, Iowa
All-Championships Team
Bridget Hodan, Illinois
Mary Jane Horth, Illinois
Lizzy LeDuc, Illinois
Mollie Drenth, Iowa
Angel Metcalf, Iowa
Lanie Snyder, Iowa
Nicole Artz, Michigan
Talia Chiarelli, Michigan
Olivia Karas, Michigan
Emma McLean, Michigan
Nicola Deans, Michigan State
Kira Frederick, Michigan State
Elena Lagoski, Michigan State
Hailee Westney, Michigan State
Ciara Gardner, Minnesota
Hannah Hitchcock, Minnesota
Paige Williams, Minnesota
Sienna Crouse, Nebraska
Taylor Houchin, Nebraska
Jennie Laeng, Nebraska
Alexis Mattern, Ohio State
Sabrina Garcia, Penn State
Briannah Tsang, Penn State
Claire Jones, Rutgers
Makenzey Shank, Rutgers
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Jordyn Givens, Illinois
Nicole Chow, Iowa
Sarah Faller, Maryland
Emma McLean, Michigan
Molly Hoerner-O'Malley, Michigan State
Kaitlin Rahon, Minnesota
Catelyn Orel, Nebraska
Jaine VanPutten, Ohio State
Nicole Medvitz, Penn State
Libby Groden, Rutgers
Players Mentioned
