Feb. 10, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - Ashley Kelly won the 17th all-around of her career, but the No. 10 Arizona State gymnasts were still defeated by the No. 12 Stanford Cardinal 195.725-196.325, Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in front of 931 fans.
Kelly posted a 39.675, her best score of the season, to take first in the all-around. Going into this week, this score is the highest posted nationally this year. With a solid performance in her first all around competition of the year, junior Cassandra Jusino took second with a 39.475. April Boone placed fourth behind Stanford's Tabitha Yim with a score of 39.175.
Posting their best vault score of the season with a 49.475, the Sun Devils won the vault. Coming into this week, this was the second-highest score in the nation, second only to top ranked University of Georgia. Scoring a season high 9.975, Kelly won the event. Jusino also posted her best vault score of the season, a 9.95, and tied for second with Stanford's Liz Tricase. Tying her career best for the first time this season, Boone placed fourth with a 9.9. Yet another Sun Devil tied her season high as Lauren Powell vaulted her way to a 9.825 to tie for fifth with Stanford's Yim. The Cardinal posted a 49.125.
On the uneven bars, Kelly continued to shine as she tied for second with a 9.875 with Stanford's Glyn Sweets. Stanford's Tricase took first with a 9.9. Powell performed a clean routine, good enough to tie for fourth with Stanford's Kelly Fee. As a team, the Sun Devils posted a 49.00. The Cardinal won the event with a 49.275.
The Sun Devils, who going into this meet were ranked number one on the balance beam, came across some trouble on the beam and posted their lowest score of the season. With a couple of falls from usually consistent Powell and from ninth ranked Harris, the Sun Devils posted a 48.550. Top ranked Kelly placed first on the balance beam, tying her season high with a 9.925. Competing for the first time on the beam this season, Jusino shined with a 9.875 and she took second. Stanford took the next three spots then with Yim placing third and Heather Purnell and Natalie Foley tying for fourth. Freshman Ashlee Hinkle scored a solid 9.8 to take sixth. The Cardinal won the beam with a 48.800.
The Sun Devils found more trouble on the floor as they experienced a couple falls. Both Harris and Hinkle fell, with Harris having to be taken out of competition. Tying for first, Boone and Jusino outdid the rest of the competition with both scoring their season highs, 9.925. Kelly scored a 9.9 to take second place. As a team the Sun Devils posted a 48.7. The Cardinal won the event with a 49.125.
The Sun Devils travel to California to take on Pac-10 rival No. 11 UCLA Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion. They return home to Wells Fargo Arena on February 24 to compete in the UNO Classic against Oregon State, Boise State, and Wisconsin Oshkosh at 7:30 p.m.