March 6, 2009
The Arizona State women's gymnastics team dropped a road match to No. 2 Utah. The Sun Devils fell 197.350-194.350 to their longtime rival. Beaté Jones tied for third in the all-around with a 39.2. Nicole Harris scored a 38.6.
The Sun Devils had a rough start on bars. With falls from their two top bar-workers, Jones and freshman Kahoku Palafox led the way for the Devils earning scores of 9.8 each. Palafox's score marked a career-high. Tiana Jean and Francesca Mercurio each put in marks of 9.725. The Sun Devils tallied a 48.3 on bars.
Recovering quickly from their slow start, the team put together their best vault rotation of the season. The team's top vaulter, Jones, did what she does best and tied her career-mark of 9.9 for the third time this season. Mary Atkinson set a new personal best with a 9.875. Nicole Harris tied with Atkinson to score her season-best. Mercurio competed on vault for the first time since February 13 and hit for a 9.825. Callie Price tied her career-best with a 9.775. The Sun Devils put together a season-best 49.250 on vault.
The Sun Devils suffered another setback as Atkinson and Brittany Schuett both fell on floor. Harris and Jean notched two scores 9.8. Jones was given a 9.775 while Hangartner tallied a 9.750. The Sun Devils recorded a total of 48.025 on floor.
The team ended the night scoring a 48.775 on beam. Kaitlynn Bormann and Mercurio each earned scores of 9.775. Harris and Jean were each given 9.750 for their routine while Jones finished with a 9.725.
The Sun Devils head home for their final home meet of the season. The team will host Ball State, CSU-Fullerton and Nebraska in the annual UNO's Classic. The team will also honor their seniors on Senior Night.