Jan. 9, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State women's gymnastics team commenced its silver anniversary season with a decisive victory over Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara on Sunday in Titan Gym. ASU totaled 194.175 points, while the host Titans (192.150) and Gauchos (186.650) placed second and third, respectively.
Sun Devil junior All-American Kelly Christensen-Cowley proved herself worthy of that distinction, winning the vault competition with a score of 9.800. Christensen-Cowley tied fellow ASU All-American Elizabeth McNabb for top honors in the floor exercise as the both recorded marks of 9.850. McNabb, who finished the 1999 regular season ranked first nationally on the floor, also showed poise on the balance beam with her second place performance of 9.850. The senior was bested by Arizona State sophomore Lea Carver, who won the event with a 9.875. Meanwhile ASU junior Kim Skinner notched a personal best score of 9.850 in uneven bar competition, tying CSUF sophomore and 1996 Australian Olympian Joanna Hughes for first place.
Other Sun Devil highlights included a 9.800, third place showing on the beam from freshman Cassidy Vreeke in her collegiate debut. Sophomore Rhonda Robinette tied for fourth in beam competition (9.750) and added a 9.800 (t-third) on the bars, while senior team captain Michelle Hess tied for second in vault action with a 9.775. No ASU gymnast competed as an all-arounder.
Arizona State hosts its first home meet of the season Friday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. when #18 Maryland, 20th-ranked Ohio State and #11 Stanford visit Wells Fargo Arena. The Devils will look to extend their regular-season home winning streak to 21 meets.