The Sacramento State gymnastics team recorded its second-highest mark in program history with a 194.900, as the Hornets won the inaugural Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship on March 23 at Air Force Academy.

Second place went to Air Force with a score of 194.650 while San Jose State University took third with a score of 193.375.

With the win, the Hornets? gymnastics team capped its third-consecutive conference championship.

The Hornets also notched a program record, finishing four consecutive meets over the 193-point plateau.

“We started on beam, which has given us trouble this season, but we hit five out of six routines which is a great start,” Hornet coach Kim Hughes said.

It was a standout day for junior Toni Peterson, who earned the all-around title with a career and program-best score of 39.325. With the score, Peterson broke the previous record of 39.175 set by teammate Binta Coleman in 2001.

Peterson also tied for first on the floor with a 9.9 and won the vault with a personal-best 9.850. Peterson also placed third on the bars with a 9.825 and tied for fifth on beam with a 9.75.

In nine of twelve meets this season, Peterson led the Hornets in all-around competition.

“It was a near-perfect meet up until the last event in bars,” Hughes said. “We had two gymnasts in a row falter on their dismounts. It came down to the last competitor, Lori Gillette, on bars.”

Gillette scored a 9.8 to secure the MPSF title. Gillette also tied for fifth on beam with a season-high 9.75.

Freshman Nirvana Zaher tied for first on beam with a score of 9.875.

In just her first season with the program, Zaher has already claimed the program record for beam with a score of 9.925 at Seattle Pacific on Feb. 22. Zaher also tied for second on vault with a personal-best 9.8.

Helping the Hornets to a record score of 48.925 on vault was junior Jenny Diamond (9.775, fourth), senior Lara Goold (9.75, tied for fifth), Coleman (9.75, tied for fifth), as well as Zaher and Peterson.

Setting a career-high on bars with a 9.775 was freshman Jessica Hoffman. Also contributing on bars for the Hornets were freshman Stefanie Aeder (9.825, floor) and junior Brooke Crowell (9.7, vault).

“It was a true team effort from start to finish,” Hughes said.

The team fell short in its quest for an NCAA West Regional bid despite posting a program-best Regional Qualifying Score of 194.07 and claiming the MPSF Championship crown.

Sac State barely missed a postseason bid when Boise State University squeaked by the Hornets with a score of 194.14 to secure the sixth and final spot.

Prior to this meet, Sac State coach Kim Hughes was voted 2002 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women?s Gymnastics Coach of the Year.

Hughes was selected by MPSF the coaches after leading the Hornets to a first-place ranking in the conference with a program-best RQS of 194.070.

This is Hughes? second Coach of the Year honor. The first one was won in 1999 after he lead the Hornets to their first regional appearance in program history.

The Hornets ended their season with a 15-6 record and will send individuals to the 2002 NCAA West Regional in Corvallis, Ore. Saturday.

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