Feb. 28, 2013
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NOTES | LIVE SCORING | PAC-12 NETWORK
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Gym Devils head to Tuscon for the Territorial Cup Gymnastics match between the Sun Devils and Wildcats, Saturday, at 3 p.m. MT at the McHale Center in Tuscon, Ariz. The meet will air live regionally on the Pac-12 Network. You can also watch online at http://video.pac-12.com/ with a log in from your television provider.
The Sun Devils lead the series against the Wildcats in gymnastics with a record of 30-11-1 since 1977. However, ASU earned its first victory in the rivalvry since 2006, winning 195.875-194.350 over the Wildcats in Tempe.
The Sun Devils have recorded five-consecutive meets with a score of 195-plus. ASU also recorded two-straight meets with beam scores toping the 49 mark. The Washington meet was the first meet of the year the Gym Devils broke the 49.00 mark in two separate events, on both beam and floor.
UNDERCLASSMEN
The Arizona State squad is the youngest in the Pac-12 with seven freshmen and four sophomores on the 14-gymnast roster. The team relies so heavily on the young team that 21 out of the 24 line-up spots against Oregon State were occupied by underclassman. Graduate student Kahoku Palafox (UB, BB) and senior Amelia Rew (UB) are the only veteran Sun Devils competing.
Junior Sammie Seaman is easing back into training after nursing a foot injury. Seaman is the top returning all-around gymnast for Arizona State.
GYMNASTS TO WATCH
Natasha Sundby
Sophomore Natasha Sundby has set new highs in every event she has competed this season including recording a two 9.900’s this season on floor. Sundby’s routine against UCLA won her ASU’s first Pac-12 weekly honor, since 2009, for Event Specialist on Jan. 29. Sundby also anchors the vault line-up, recording three 9.875’s so far in the event. Watch for Sundby to be on the cusp of toping the 9.9 mark.
Kahoku Palafox
Graduate student Kahoku Palafox is one of the Gym Devils’ top bar workers recording a season-best 9.875 on the road at Sacramento State. After falling on her first release at Stanford, Palafox performed a clean routine against Washington. Palafox has incorporated a new dismount into her routine, aside from her standard double layout landing. Palafox was also a 2012 Academic All-American and a three-time Pac-12 first-team All-Academic honoree. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in Sustainability from ASU and is currently helping create a “Zero Waste” plan for our last home meet on Mar. 15. Palafox was also tasked with creating a case study on the sustainability efforts of the Arizona State athletic department.
Brianna Gades
Coach Spini called sophomore Brianna Gades his MVP of the Washington meet. Gades is one of Arizona State’s most consistent gymnasts. Known for her clean lines and elegance of her performances, 10 of Gades’ 12 beam and floor routines have earned a 9.800 or better. Gades shined against Washington setting new career highs of 9.875 on bars and floor and scored a 9.825 on beam.
Stephanie Miceli
Freshman Stephanie Miceli heads into her third-straight meet in the All-Around. While not recording her typical scores on vault and bars, Miceli turned it on for beam scoring a career-high and tying an ASU team high with a score of 9.875 in the event. Miceli is incredibly enthusiastic competitor and had been lobbying the entire season for a chance to compete in every event. She wants to win when she hits the floor and is thriving in the team environment.
Carissa Kraus
The freshman walk on has been a consistant scorer for the Sun Devils on vault and bars. Kraus is only second to Sundby in vault scoring, and took home the vault title against Washinton with a career-high tying 9.850. She is also the second highest scorer on bars. Kraus’ 9.800 is only behind grad Kahoku Palafox top-team bar scores.
Risa Perez
While absent from the Stanford line-up, Perez regained her spark for ASU against Washington. Perez is known for her charisma and charm, especially on beam and floor. Perez scored a 9.825 on floor in her first meet again Oklahoma and has scored a 9.850 on beam against UCLA. Perez is capable of stepping up against top competition.
Pac-12 Webcasts
The Pac-12.com will provide an online webcast for all five of the Sun Devil home gymnastic meets. The Pac-12 live streamed the Gym Devil’s season opener against then-No. 4 Oklahoma for one of Arizona State’s first Pac-12 live streams. Meets against UCLA, Oregon State, Washington and Bridgeport will also be streamed live via http://pac-12.com/live/thesundevils.