March 12, 2005
Junior Ashley Kelly won the 15th all-around title of her career, but it was not enough as the No. 19 University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team defeated Arizona State University, 195.325-195 Saturday at The Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis. ASU's record fell to 6-7 on the season
The Sun Devils, who have battled injuries all season, were without the services of freshmen Karissa Vossler (knee) and Taryn Shockley (arm) while junior Lauren Powell (ankle) was limited to two events.
Ashley Kelly of ASU won the all-around competition, scoring 39.375, her third-best total of the campaign. The Golden Gopher's Laura Johnson took second (39.175). ASU sophomore April Boone placed third at 38.825. Sophomore Cassandra Jusino of ASU was fourth (38.8) while senior Kari Muth was fifth (38.7).
ASU sophomore April Boone tied a season-high with 9.85 on vault and tied for first-place with Minnesota's Johnson and Carolyn Yernberg. Kelly finished fourth (9.8). Sun Devil freshman Josie Hancock, competing on vault for only the second time this year, posted a season and career-best 9.65 (T-9th). ASU tied its second-best vault score of the year with a 48.625. As a team, Minnesota scored 48.85 on vault.
On the uneven bars, Boone posted a season-high 9.9, good for first-place honors. Jusino recorded a 9.85, which tied for first-place with UM's Johnson. Jusino's mark tied a career-best as well. Kelly placed fourth once again (9.825). ASU's team score of 49.125 was its second-best bars effort of the year. Every Sun Devil competitor on bars scored above her season average. The Golden Gophers score 48.675 on bars.
Kelly won the balance beam competition with a score of 9.95, a season-high. Boone also posted a season-high (9.9) and placed second. Powell and Minnesota's Stephanie Funk and Johnson tied for third with 9.85's. Powell's 9.85 was her highest beam score (9.875) since the opening meet at the Maui Invitational. Hancock's 9.825 was her second-highest score of the year. The Sun Devil's 49.325 on beam was their best tally of the season.
ASU lost a close meet on the floor exercise, where it had only two scores higher than 9.575 and scored 47.925, its second-lowest output of the campaign. ASU had to count a 9.175 by Boone in the team score. Jusino recorded a 9.825, placing second. UM's Yernberg won on the floor with a 9.875. Kelly and UM's Ashley Stanton tied for third (9.8).
The Sun Devils' final regular-season meet of 2005 is Friday, March 18 against No. 1-ranked University of Utah, beginning at 7:00 p.m. MT in Salt Lake City.