TEMPE – Debuting sparkly new leotards in front of a home crowd, the Arizona State women's gymnastics team competed in Wells Fargo Arena for the first time in 2017 against UC Davis, hitting six floor sets and posting a season best on the event. The Gym Devils posted a 193.225 to the visiting Aggie's 194.000.
"It was great to have our home opener tonight in front a big crowd of energized Sun Devil fans," said head coach Jay Santos. "There was a lot of energy in the arena and we had some definite bright spots.
Freshman Mekayla Jones posted a career-high and meet-best 9.775 on floor to lead the Gym Devils to a season high 48.675. Sophomore Corinne Belkoff scored her own season best 9.750 while freshmen Averie Brook and Morgan Hart posted a pair of 9.725s.
"Floor really bounced back from last week and we had several much improved routines on the event," said Santos. "MeKayla Jones really put together a strong routine."
On vault, sophomore Morgan Wilson returned to the line-up with a 9.750 pacing the Gym Devils to a 48.350 on the event. Belkoff contributed another season high, this time with a 9.700.
Junior Nichelle Christopherson had a strong outing posting meet-bests on bars and beam, respectively.
The Gym Devils struggled on bars, but Christopherson was a bright spot in the line-up with a 9.800, her second consecutive score of 9.8+ on the event this season. Sophomore Eileen Imbus tied her career high with a 9.775.
Christopherson led the way again on beam for the team with a 9.800 contributing to the total event score of 48.125. Sophomores Heather Udowitch and Belkoff added a pair of 9.675s.
"We have yet to put a whole meet together; as one event improves another seems to slip," stated Santos. "We need to put our focus on hitting clean routines and put together a complete meet."
Up next, the Gym Devils open conference play traveling to Berkeley, Calif. to take on the No. 13 California Bears on Saturday, Jan. 28. The meet is slated for a 7 p.m. MT start and will be broadcasted live on the Pac-12 Network.
"It was great to have our home opener tonight in front a big crowd of energized Sun Devil fans," said head coach Jay Santos. "There was a lot of energy in the arena and we had some definite bright spots.
Freshman Mekayla Jones posted a career-high and meet-best 9.775 on floor to lead the Gym Devils to a season high 48.675. Sophomore Corinne Belkoff scored her own season best 9.750 while freshmen Averie Brook and Morgan Hart posted a pair of 9.725s.
"Floor really bounced back from last week and we had several much improved routines on the event," said Santos. "MeKayla Jones really put together a strong routine."
On vault, sophomore Morgan Wilson returned to the line-up with a 9.750 pacing the Gym Devils to a 48.350 on the event. Belkoff contributed another season high, this time with a 9.700.
Junior Nichelle Christopherson had a strong outing posting meet-bests on bars and beam, respectively.
The Gym Devils struggled on bars, but Christopherson was a bright spot in the line-up with a 9.800, her second consecutive score of 9.8+ on the event this season. Sophomore Eileen Imbus tied her career high with a 9.775.
Christopherson led the way again on beam for the team with a 9.800 contributing to the total event score of 48.125. Sophomores Heather Udowitch and Belkoff added a pair of 9.675s.
"We have yet to put a whole meet together; as one event improves another seems to slip," stated Santos. "We need to put our focus on hitting clean routines and put together a complete meet."
Up next, the Gym Devils open conference play traveling to Berkeley, Calif. to take on the No. 13 California Bears on Saturday, Jan. 28. The meet is slated for a 7 p.m. MT start and will be broadcasted live on the Pac-12 Network.