By Emily Ducker, Media Relations Intern
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 19 Arizona State gymnastics team posted several high scores in front of the biggest home crowd since 2016, but ultimately fell to the No. 4 Utah Utes, 197.375 to 195.825, in Saturday's dual meet at Wells Fargo Arena.
"We just have to keep the progress going," Arizona State head coach Jay Santos said. "Vault was better today, bars was strong again and floor was better than Monday. We're there, we just have to put it together on all four events. Hopefully we can just take all this and put it together and get on a roll."
The Sun Devils (3-3) bounced back big in the meet, earning a season-high 49.225 on floor right after scoring a season-low 49.450 on beam. The team total of 195.825 is the second highest total so far this year. Wells Fargo Arena was packed with 3,726 fans, the most since 2016.
Cairo Leonard-Baker had a 39.450 in the all-around, finishing third in the meet behind Utah's MyKayla Skinner (39.600) and MaKenna Merrell-Giles (39.575). Leonard-Baker's 9.950 score on the floor routine won the individual title in that event and tied her career high. Three Gym Devils also set or tied season highs - Anne Kuhm on the uneven bars with a score of 9.875, Kaitlyn Szafranski on floor with a score of 9.850 (tie) and Jessica Ginn on floor with a score of 9.825.
Team Results:
1. Utah, 197.375
2. ASU, 195.825
Rotation One - Vault | 49.050
The Gym Devils got off to a strong start in the first rotation with a season-high vault score of 49.050. Leonard-Baker's 9.875 led the team, followed by Ginn, Kaitlyn Szafranski and Morgan Wilson, who each scored 9.800.
9?.8?7?5? for Cairo Leonard-Baker!!#GymDevils | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/KqSI1QKnDL
— Sun Devil Gymnastics (@SunDevilGym) January 27, 2019
Rotation Two - Bars | 49.100
ASU kept up the momentum with a strong showing on the uneven bars, once again earning four scores of 9.800 or higher. Kuhm scored a 9.875, tying her career high. Leonard-Baker matched that mark in the anchor slot. Both Wilson and Morgan Hart and posted scores of 9.800.
Anne Kuhm ties her career high on bars with a 9.875!!#GymDevils | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/UYYKlgf0Bl
— Sun Devil Gymnastics (@SunDevilGym) January 27, 2019
Rotation Three - Beam | 48.450
On Beam, the Sun Devils fell short of their usual scores. Leonard-Baker earned a score of 9.750 to lead the team in that event. Wilson and Heather Udowitch followed Leonard-Baker, each earning 9.725 in the event.
Rotation Four - Floor | Score
The floor was the strongest rotation for the Sun Devils, as all five scoring routines earned 9.800 or higher, including two season highs. Leonard-Baker scored highest with a 9.950, the highest of any floor routine on the day. Szafranski tied her season high with a 9.850, and Ginn's 9.825 eclipsed her previous season high of 9.800. Udowitch and Corinne Belkoff rounded out the scoring, each earning a 9.800.
WHAT A WAY TO END IT! Cairo scores a 9.950 on floor to end the night!
— Sun Devil Gymnastics (@SunDevilGym) January 27, 2019
And of course, the crowd LOVES this moment. ?? pic.twitter.com/FlH2tx1z7D
Next up for the Gym Devils, the squad will head to Berkeley, Calif. for a tri meet with No. 12 Cal and No. 16 BYU on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. MST. Fans can follow all the action at @SunDevilGym on Twitter.