SEATTLE, Wash. – The Arizona women's gymnastics team defeated the Washington Huskies, 196.050-195.950, on Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Arena. Arizona earned its highest score of the season after Saturday's win on the road.
“It was a great competition and certainly a turning point for the team,” said head coach Bill Ryden. “We picked up a new floor routine from Lexi Mills and our freshmen keep getting better. Madison Cindric was sick all week and couldn't train, but she came out and nailed her routines. It wasn't a perfect meet but this team battles very well. It was so exciting for us to win on the road tonight.”
The Wildcats began the evening on bars where they were led by senior Allie Flores who received a score of 9.850 and a new season high. Flores placed second in the competition on the event. Junior Lexi Mills and sophomore Gabby Laub both earned scores of 9.825. The pair tied for third in the competition. Sophomore Selynna Felix-Terrazas posted a season high score of 9.800. Sophomore Krysten Howard received a 9.725 on the event. Freshman Victoria Ortiz scored an 8.600. The team finished vault with a team score of 49.025.
“The girls looked great on bars tonight,” said Ryden. “To come right out of the box with a 49.025 certainly set us up for a great meet.”
Moving onto vault, the team was once again led by Flores with a 9.875. Flores posted a season high and earned first place for the event. Junior Shelby Edwards scored a 9.775, as did junior Jessie Sisler. Sisler's score earned her a new season high on vault. Edwards and Sisler tied for third on the event. Felix-Terrazs and Cindric each scored 9.725. The Wildcats finished the second rotation with a score of 48.900.
“It's great having Shelby (Edwards) back in the lineup,” said Ryden. “When she's out there, we are a better team. She is a great gymnast and a great athlete.”
The team moved onto the third event, floor, with a running total of 97.925.
With a team score of 49.075 on floor, the team was led by Sisler who posted a career high of 9.900. She earned a third place finish for the event. Flores continued to look strong, posting a score of 9.850. In only her second career performance on floor, Howard scored a 9.800. Senior Shay Fox received a season high of 9.800, as well. Schneider received a 9.725. Felix-Terrazas contributed a score of 9.650.
“Jessie (Sisler) is doing a fantastic job this season,” Ryden said. “And the rest of the team overall had such a strong performance on floor. We're getting stronger each week. I couldn't be happier or more proud.”
With a running total of 147.000, the team concluded the meet on beam. The Wildcats received an overall score of 49.050 on the event.
Sisler once again demonstrated an elegant beam routine scoring a 9.875, earning her a first place finish. Close behind was Flores with a 9.850. Edwards scored a 9.825 on her season debut on beam. Cindric, Mills and Schneider received scores of 9.775, 9.725 and 9.700, respectively.
“Congratulations to the whole beam team and congratulations to assistant coach Meredith Paulicivic,” Ryden said. “Beam was our biggest struggle last year but they've really made vast improvements this year.”
Flores took first place in the all-around competition with a 39.425, beating Washington's Allison Northey's score of 39.200. Flores' tied her career all-around high score, as well as earning a new season high.
“It's rare for visiting teams to come to Washington and win,” said Ryden. “They have a quality program and they compete exceptionally well at home. For us to get a victory here is huge and for us to get a 196 on the road, this early in the season is huge. There was nothing that wasn't successful for us tonight and I'm so proud of our team”
Arizona will return home for their next meet against the Utah Utes. The meet will take place on Saturday, January 31 at 4 p.m. MST. For continued coverage of Arizona Gymnastics, follow the team at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.
