Junior Toni Peterson led the Sacramento State gymnastics team to its sixth win of the season Sunday at Hornet Gym, defeating a depleted University of California, Berkeley squad 193.175-151.450. Sac State?s score of 193.175 marked the third time this season that the Hornets have eclipsed the 193-mark, getting season highs on vault (48.450) and floor exercise (49.025).

In all fairness to Cal, the battle scarred Bears were only able to compete with 10 athletes, which in large part was due to illness and injuries. On vault, the Golden Bears were only able to compete with two athletes resulting in their lowest score of the season ? a dismal 18.80.

Toni Peterson claimed her spot as the top all-around gymnast for the competition and for the fifth time this season, scoring a 38.200 even after a dreadful fall on the uneven bars.

“Toni is tough,” Hornets coach Kim Hughes said. “Even though her back really stiffened up after the fall, she still finished the event (uneven bars) strongly, as well as the rest of the competition.

“Toni has worked hard and I can see the hunger that has developed in her. She wants to be the best and if that means enduring some pain in the process, then so be it.”

On floor, the Hornets were led with two scintillating performances by freshman Stephanie Aedar (9.875) and Binta Coleman (9.825). The underclass dominance continued with Nirvana Zaher, a native Cairo, Egypt, who scored a 9.775.

Freshman Jessica Hoffman also delivered one of her better floor performances of the year notching a 9.675.

On vault, junior Jenny Diamond catapulted her way to a 9.775, which was good enough for the top spot, as well as a new season high. Senior Lara Goold finished a close second to her teammate, Jenny Diamond, scoring a 9.725. Coleman continued her string of strong vault performances scoring a solid 9.700.

Senior Lori Gillete scored a 9.8 on the uneven bars to lead all competitors. Teammate Jessica Hoffman turned in a solid performance on the bars, but was only given a score of 9.775 to the dismay of the crowd.

On beam, freshman Nirvana Zaher again proved why she is probably the Hornets? strongest asset in the event, scoring a 9.750. When Zaher?s beam results were posted, again the crowd showed their dissatisfaction with the judging, releasing a chorus of boos that echoed throughout Hornet Gym. Toni Peterson and Wendy Baisdon each scored a 9.600 to round out the top finishers.

Cal came into the competition just two weeks removed from the resignation of their head coach Trina Tinti, which has had an obvious effect on the teams? morale.

“We are doing as well as can be expected,” Cal interim head coach Jen Bialosky said. ” It just seems like we can?t catch a break. Two of our athletes got sick last night, which is the reason we only had 10 to compete with. Luckily, we have a couple weeks off before our next meet and that should give us some time to get healthy.”

Sac State head coach Kim Hughes was well aware of the injuries and coaching change that was taking place in Berkeley, and warned his team vehemently about not taking the Bears lightly.

“I warned the ladies all week about staying focused,” Hughes said. ” I told them that just because they are coming into the competition a tad bit depleted, that doesn?t mean that we should chalk it up as a victory. Our main objective is to move up in the West Region standings, where we are currently sitting in the ninth spot.”

Sac State next travels to San Jose State and Cal State Fullerton on Friday.

Send comments, questions, or concerns to [email protected].

For questions or information regarding the site,please contact [email protected]