Gymnasitcs drops a close meet against George Washington University
Sacramento State’s senior gymnast Dallas Smith performs on beam for the Hornets in their meet at The Hornets Nest against San Jose State Spartans on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015. Smith placed eighth on beam with a score of 9.650, a season-high finish.
February 7, 2015
The Sacramento State gymnastics team dropped a close contest Friday night against George Washington University in the Hornets’ Nest. The women were defeated 193.575-194.625 and were hampered by another fall on beam.
Sophomore Julia Konner anchored the Hornets tonight as she recorded a team high and personal best score of 9.875 on vault. Despite her strong efforts, George Washington University was able to score a team total of 49.000, compared to the Hornets’ 48.225 in the first rotation.
The team needed to step up this evening as they were without their top performer, senior Kalliah McCartney. This is the first meet she has missed this season––her absence was due to an ankle injury.
“A number of women came in a stepped up and covered her spot,” said Sac State coach Kim Hughes in regard to not having their top gymnast. “Losing McCartney this meet was tough, but our team pulled it together and performed well tonight.”
Konner provided consistency for the Hornets as she achieved three personal best scores in vault, balance beam (9.700), and floor exercise (9.800).
“I’ve been pretty consistent lately on vault and floor and I just wanted to show it off,” Konner said.
Even Konner’s solid score on beam couldn’t help Sac State as the women took a point deduction on this rotation for tallying two falls.
Courtney Soliwoda recorded a career-high in this event with a 9.800. The two falls in this rotation put the women behind 47.625 as the Colonials scored a 49.025 on floor rotation in third rotation.
Freshman Lauren Rice and Soliwoda tied on bars with a score of 9.750. Cassie Benning recorded a team-high score of 9.850 on bars. The women tallied a final team score of 48.625 in the second rotation. The Colonials finished with a score of 48.150 on bars.
The women scored higher than GWU on floor, finishing with a team total of 49.100 compared to the Colonials’ 49.025. Sac State’s efforts in the final rotation weren’t enough to put them ahead of its competitors.
Next up for gymnastics, the Hornets will have a home meet against San Jose State on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Nest.
