University of Arizona
Athens NCAA Regional Championships
Arizona Finishes 4th in Athens, Mills Advances to Nationals
04/02/2016 | Gymnastics
ATHENS, GA. -- Arizona women's gymnastics posted a 195.90 to finish fourth at the Athens Regional Saturday in Athens, Georgia. The Wildcats received their third highest regional score in the past ten years and were just one tenth shy of a third place finish. Senior Lexi Mills captured the regional balance beam title, advancing her to the NCAA Championships in Dallas, Texas on April 6th - Arizona's first individual bid since 2012.
"We are so proud of the team's effort and the resiliency they showed on the floor this afternoon. This team has a lot of heart, and they fought for every skill, landing, and routine. It was a great experience for our staff and team, and we are thrilled for Lexi to finish out her senior season in Dallas."
After a bye in the first rotation, the GymCats started off the competition on the floor exercise. The team showed their consistency building scores throughout the lineup for a 49.025. Junior Krysten Howard has been a strong contirbutor on floor this month and earned a 9.85. Senior Jessie Sisler anchored lineup and received a 9.875, her ninth score above 9.8 on floor this season.
The team moved to ther second event, vault, with a team total of 49.025. Senior Shelby Edwards and Cindric were the scoring leaders for the Wildcats after each reaciving 9.80's. Freshman Lauryn Mattson posted a 9.75. Sisler and junior Gabrielle Laub earned scores of 9.725 and 9.70, respectively. Freshman Skyler Sheppard, in only her second appearance on vault, rounded out the scores with a 9.60.
The Wildcats had their second and final bye in the fourth rotation, and continued onto the uneven bars in the fifth. The team earned a 49.10 on the event. Mills contributed a 9.875 on the event. Howard finished behind her with a 9.825. Freshman Dani, Felix-Terrazas, and Laub each received 9.80's. Cindric entered the bars for the first time this season, earned a 9.775.
In the final rotation, Mills finished on the balance beam with a 9.90, earning her ticket to the NCAA Championships. Cindirc received a 9.85. Senior Danielle Buchanan competed for the first time since 2013, and the first time on balance beam, earning a 9.825. Sisler received a 9.725, and Edwards earned a 9.70. Howard saved herself from a fall, earning a 9.525.
Arizona saw eight #ARIZONASTICKS from the GymCats on Saturday. Howard, Mills, Cindric and Sisler all stuck on beam. Spencer, Howard, Mills and Felix-Terrazas stuck on bars.
Mills will compete in the individual competition on the balance beam in Fort Worth, Texas on April 6. Tickets for the event are available here. More information on her individual competition to follow.
