March 7, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 7 Arizona State women's gymnastics team (10-3, 4-2 Pac-10) used a school record in the floor exercise, punctuated by junior all-America Elizabeth McNabb's "Perfect 10," to defeat Pittsburgh 195.825-194.3 before 534 fans at the Wells Fargo Arena to win its 17th consecutive home meet.
McNabb became the fourth Sun Devil to record a "Perfect 10" in the floor exercise and the first since current Sun Devil and junior all-America Elizabeth Reid did it last year at Alabama. "It's an accomplishment that I've always wanted and I'm glad I was able to do it at home," said McNabb.
McNabb's routine was one performance that contributed to the Devils' school record of 49.575, which eclipsed the old record of 49.525 set in 1997 against Washington. ASU swept the top five places in the event. Following McNabb were Reid and junior all-America Amy Shelton, who tied for second (9.925), senior Wendy Ellsberry, who finished fourth (9.875) and junior Michelle Hess and sophomore Becky Acker, who tied for fifth (9.85).
"I was really pleased coming off of a really hard weekend," said ASU coach John Spini. "I thought that the vaulting improved. Michelle Hess and Kelly Christensen really stepped up in that event." The meet was close through the first three events. Going into the final event, ASU held a slim 196.25-196.15 lead before its sudden eruption in the floor exercise.
In the vault, the Devils scored a season-best 49.05. The Devils duplicated the finish order from the floor exercise in the vault by taking the top five places. Leading the way was Shelton, who had a season-best and first-place finish of 9.925. Right behind Shelton were teammates Hess and sophomore all-America Kelly Christensen, who finished tied for second (9.8), freshman Britnee Bowden, who finished fourth with a personal best 9.775 and freshman Megan Carey, who finished fifth with a career-best 9.75. ASU encountered a few bumps in back-to-back events - bars and beam - having to count a fall in each event. Ellsberry and Acker tied for first in the bars with Samantha Salyers and Rebecca Singleton of Pittsburgh by scoring a 9.875. Also placing in the top five in the bars was freshman Rhonda Robinette, who finished fifth (9.825). In the beam competition, ASU had three of the top five finishers, led by Reid and McNabb, who tied for second with a 9.85 and Hess, who finished fourth (9.8).
Taking first place in the all-around was Danielle Alba of Pittsburgh, who scored a 39.225. Finishing second was Ellsberry (39.225), who along with Shelton and senior Lisa Vincijanovic, who has been sidelined by injury all season long, made their last home appearance as members of the Sun Devil gymnastics team.
For ASU, the victory was their 13th in their last 17 meets going aack to last season.
ASU resumes action next week, when it travel to Columbus, Ohio for a Mar. 13 assignment against Ohio State.