By Mary Kate Lau, SDA Communications
TEMPE, Ariz.--It was an emotion-filled night at Wells Fargo Arena, but the Gym Devils were all business against Northern Illinois University, defeating the Huskies in Sammie Seaman and Coach John Spini’s last meet 196.175-195.000.
“Senior Night” saw career highs and tear-soaked goodbyes in the last meet of the regular season before the Pac-12 Championships next week.
“I didn’t think I was going to cry and then the video came on and I was like 'wah',” Senior Sammie Seaman said after competing for the last time at Wells Fargo Arena. “It really meant a lot to me.”
Despite the understandable distraction, Seaman and the entire ASU Gymnastics team completed a strong meet against Northern Illinois, despite having to count a fall on beam. Seaman took the meet’s vault title with a score of 9.850 and added a 9.825 on floor.
Junior Natasha Sundby showed she’s ready to be a senior leader next year with a career-high floor routine which earned a 9.950. Three career highs were hit on balance beam by freshman Beka Conrad (9.825), sophomore Stephanie Miceli (9.900) and junior Morgan Steigerwalt (9.875) and a fourth matched by sophomore Risa Perez with her fourth 9.875 of the season. Sophomore Kristine Levin also matched a career high on bars, notching a 9.825.
Close to 50 former gymnasts, countless friends and even legendary ASU football coach Frank Kush were on hand to celebrate Spini’s career as a coach.
“I’m very lucky. I’m very lucky man. I’m in awe of how many people showed up,” Spini said “It’s wonderful what do you say to that?”
Next Saturday, ASU will compete in the Pac-12 Championship in Berkeley, Calif.