COLUMBUS, Ohio – Arizona gymnastics finished their 2015 season at the Columbus Regionals on Saturday. The team finished fourth with a team total of 195.800. UCLA and Michigan finished in first and second, respectively and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Arizona finished behind Central Michigan University and ahead of Kentucky and host team the Ohio State University.
“We fought really hard,” said head coach Bill Ryden. “Beam is one of our highest scoring events and scoring was tight on there tonight but that just shows it's the post-season. We were 23 for 24 routines and I am proud of how they fought tonight and the entire season.”
The Wildcats began the six rotation meet on beam. The Wildcats sat in third place after the rotation with a beam total and running total of 48.775.
Junior Lexi Mills led the team on the event with a 9.800 followed by freshman Madison Cindric on the scoreboard and in the lineup with a 9.775. Junior Shelby Edwards contributed a score of 9.750 as the lead off gymnast on the event. Senior Shay Fox and sophomore Krysten Howard posted a pair of 9.725's. Junior Jessie Sisler rounded out the scores with a 9.700.
“We hit all five routines,” said Ryden. “We did everything we could do. It wasn't a perfect night on beam but we hung in there and fought. We didn't count a fall so overall they did a great job.”
The Wildcats took a break for the second rotation but hit the floor for the third rotation. With a floor score of 49.075 that gave the Wildcats a 97.900 and fourth place position.
The scores went up as the lineup progressed with Sisler last in the lineup and a 9.875 on the event. Mills posted a 9.850. Freshman Kennady Schneider earned a 9.825. Sophomore Selynna Felix-Terrazas contributed a 9.800. Fox and Cindric received scores of 9.725 and 9.650, respectively.
“Landing definitely determined the scores tonight,” said Ryden. “And unfortunately we had some extra steps in a few of our landings. We nickeled and dimed ourselves on floor but we were still able to come out with a 49 on the event.”
The team continued onto vault for the fourth rotation and earned a score of 48.875. Their score after the fourth rotation earned them a spot in second with a running total of 146.775.
Edwards led the team with a score of 9.850 followed by Cindric with a 9.800. Sisler posted a 9.775 on the event and Felix-Terrazas earned a 9.750. Laub contributed a score of 9.700. Senior Amber Wobma, after recovering from an injury sustained at the beginning of the season has worked her way back in the vault lineup and scored a 9.550.
“Vault looked a lot better tonight than it did at practice yesterday,” said Ryden. “Amber (Wobma) did everything she could do for us and I commend her for that. I know the entire team is tired mentally and physically but they still fought hard.”
The fifth rotation gave the Wildcats some time to rest during a bye rotation. They finished the night on bars in the sixth rotation with a score of 48.875.
Consistency seemed to be the pattern for the Wildcats after Howard, Felix-Terrazas, Mills and Cindric each scored 9.800's. Freshman Victoria Ortiz posted the highest score for the Wildcats on the event with a 9.825. Laub unfortunately fell on her dismount and scored a 9.150.
“Our one fall tonight happened on bars,” said Ryden. “And then it was up to two freshmen and they did their job. We had five girls that went 9.800 or better so they finished strong for us.”
The GymCats finished the regular season with a 10-4-1 record and overall record of 15-7-1. Through the enormous amounts of adversity the team faced this season, they demonstrated poise and relentlessness through it all.
“I can't say it enough, I'm just so proud of this team,” said Ryden. “They refused to give up and they fought the entire season. They've earned everyone's respect and it's been such a great year coaching them because of their attitude of never giving up. They're a great group and we're so proud as coaches.”
For continued coverage of Arizona Gymnastics, follow the team at arizona wildcats.com/gymnastics, on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics and on Twitter @AZGymnastics.
