March 10, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 14 Arizona State gymnastics team upset the No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones 197.75-197 in front of 904 fans at Wells Fargo Arena. ASU's score is the seventh-best score posted in the program's history and is the highest team score nationally this season. It was also Senior Night as Lauren Powell and Ashley Kelly competed in their final home meet.
One of ASU's most decorated gymnasts, Kelly sparkled in her last meet at home as she won her 20th all around title, a school record, with a 39.875. Not only does this score tie her career best for a third time, but it is also the best score posted in the nation so far this season. Janet Anson of Iowa State placed second with a 39.625. Freshman Nicole Harris posted her career-best all-around score, a 39.575, to place fourth. Junior April Boone also scored her career best as she placed fourth with a 39.525.
The Sun Devils started off the meet on a high note as they posted the highest vault score in the nation so far this year, a 49.625. Posting her first career 10.0, Boone won the competition. Boone is only the second gymnast to achieve a 10.0 on the vault in the nation this year. Posting her season best, a 9.975, Kelly tied for second with Iowa State's Anson. Junior Cassandra Jusino scored a 9.95, her season best, to place fourth. Harris posted her career best, a 9.875, to tie for fifth. In her final home meet, Powell tied for eighth with a 9.85 with Cyclone Erin Dethloff. The Cyclones scored a 49.4 on the vault.
The Sun Devils kept the rhythm going as they also won the uneven bars, posting their second-best score of the season, 49.3. Kelly won the event with a 9.95. Harris came in third with a 9.9 behind Iowa State's Dethloff. Tying for fourth with the Cyclones' Anson and Katie Lasher, Powell scored a 9.85. Boone posted a 9.825, good enough to place seventh. The Cyclones posted a 49.15.
In the third rotation, the Sun Devils crushed their highest beam score of the year with a 49.4. The 2003 balance beam national champion Kelly made sure she did not end her last meet without making a statement. The senior scored a 10.0, the first 10.0 posted on the beam in the nation this season, to win the event. Harris placed second with a 9.925 Freshman Ashlee Hinkle posted her career best with a 9.9 to tie for third with Iowa State's Ashley Alden. Boone tied for sixth with the Cyclones' Ashley Kent and Dethloff with a 9.8. Powell scored a 9.775 in her final event at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa State scored a 49.15.
The Sun Devils continued to shine as they scored their highest floor score of the year a 49.425 to win the event. Kelly posted a 9.95 in her final event at Wells Fargo Arena to win the floor. Boone placed third with a 9.9 behind Iowa State's Anson. Harris posted a 9.875, her personal best, to tie for fourth with Dethloff. Ashley Toner and Hinkle tied for sixth while scoring their career best, a 9.85. Iowa State posted a 49.3.
The Sun Devils wrap up the regular season at the University of Denver next Saturday at 6 p.m. MST. They then head to Pac-10 Championships in Corvallis, Ore., on March 25.