TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State women's gymnastics (2-8, 0-5 Pac-12) posted a season-high on vault but lost a tough one Saturday evening in Wells Fargo Arena, scoring a 194.850 to the No. 5 Utah Utes' (9-1, 4-1 Pac-12) 197.600 total.
"Utah is a tough opponent and you really need to be sharp against them, I think we were a little tight tonight in several spots," said head coach Jay Santos. "We had some really good routines but we struggled to sustain any momentum once we got some energy going. We have been building for the last few weeks and have really been getting more consistent but tonight a few more of those mistakes showed up. We have been practicing well over the last couple weeks, so we will need to continue that as we head into the last part of the season so that we can finish strong."
The Gym Devils hit a season-high 48.725 on vault, led by freshman Jessica Ginn's career-high 9.825. Sophomore Morgan Wilson recorded a 9.775 while sophomores Katelyn Lentz and Corinne Belkoff both added scores of 9.750.
The Gym Devils went six-for-six on beam with all scores at 9.750 or better for a total 48.875. Junior Nichelle Christopherson paced the team with a 9.825. Freshman Ashley Szafranski and sophomore Heather Udowitch added a pair of 9.775s, a season-high for Udowitch.
On bars, Szafranski stuck her landing and hit a 9.850 to lead the Gym Devils to a cumulative 48.675 event total. Christopherson and freshman Morgan Hart each recorded scores of 9.800.
On floor, Lentz led the Gym Devils with a 9.825. Belkoff posted a 9.750 while Ginn added a 9.725 for her first time back in the line-up since the season opener.
In the all-around, Christopherson posted a 38.850 behind Utah's Baely Rowe and MyKayla Skinner.
Up next the Gym Devils travel south to face cross-town rivals the Arizona Wildcats for the Territorial Cup point on Sunday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The meet will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network.
"Utah is a tough opponent and you really need to be sharp against them, I think we were a little tight tonight in several spots," said head coach Jay Santos. "We had some really good routines but we struggled to sustain any momentum once we got some energy going. We have been building for the last few weeks and have really been getting more consistent but tonight a few more of those mistakes showed up. We have been practicing well over the last couple weeks, so we will need to continue that as we head into the last part of the season so that we can finish strong."
The Gym Devils hit a season-high 48.725 on vault, led by freshman Jessica Ginn's career-high 9.825. Sophomore Morgan Wilson recorded a 9.775 while sophomores Katelyn Lentz and Corinne Belkoff both added scores of 9.750.
The Gym Devils went six-for-six on beam with all scores at 9.750 or better for a total 48.875. Junior Nichelle Christopherson paced the team with a 9.825. Freshman Ashley Szafranski and sophomore Heather Udowitch added a pair of 9.775s, a season-high for Udowitch.
On bars, Szafranski stuck her landing and hit a 9.850 to lead the Gym Devils to a cumulative 48.675 event total. Christopherson and freshman Morgan Hart each recorded scores of 9.800.
On floor, Lentz led the Gym Devils with a 9.825. Belkoff posted a 9.750 while Ginn added a 9.725 for her first time back in the line-up since the season opener.
In the all-around, Christopherson posted a 38.850 behind Utah's Baely Rowe and MyKayla Skinner.
Up next the Gym Devils travel south to face cross-town rivals the Arizona Wildcats for the Territorial Cup point on Sunday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The meet will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network.