University of Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona GymCats hosted their final home meet of the regular season against No. 4 LSU. Arizona posted a season high home score, a season high score on the uneven bars, and tied their season high score on floor. Arizona was led by seniors Haylie Hendrickson and Danielle Spencer in the final home meet of the season. Four GymCats earned season high scores and career highs.
 
"We had a really great night of executing our gymnastics," commented head coach John Court. "It was great to see the bars team come back and it was nice to see the seniors go out on a high note. That was important for them and they held their emotions in well. Our goal all week long to be our best and the purpose of that goal was to go out and get what you want. The team did that tonight with earning the highest home score and second-highest score of the year. I couldn't be happier with tonight's performance."
 
GymCats Earn Season High Scores on Bars and Floor
Arizona impressed the judges on the uneven bars and floor as they earned season high scores on both events. The GymCats earned a 49.300 on the uneven bars and a 49.225 on floor.
 
On the uneven bars, Haylie Hendrickson opened the lineup with a season high score of 9.850. Heather Swanson earned a 9.775, Danielle Spencer scored a 9.875, and Maddi Leydin earned a 9.825. Christina Berg anchored the lineup for the Cats, tying her season and career high score of 9.975.
 
On the floor exercise, Sydney Freidin was the first to perform and earned a 9.775. Heather Swanson scored a 9.825 and Courtney Cowles tied her season and career high with a 9.850. Maddi Leydin earned a 9.925, setting a season and career high. Christina Berg tied her season and career high of 9.900 to finish the rotation for Arizona.
 
Berg Shows her Strengths on Bars
Junior Christina Berg showed her strengths to judges as she competed on the uneven bars. She earned a score of 9.975, tying her season and career high score on the event. Berg took home second place on bars with her 9.975 behind LSU's Sarah Finnegan who earned a 10.000.
 
Hendrickson, Mattson, and Spencer Celebrate Senior Night
Haylie Hendrickson. Lauryn Mattson, and Danielle Spencer celebrated Senior Night and were honored for their achievements while they have competed for the GymCats.
 
"It's bittersweet since it's my last time competing in McKale," said Danielle Spencer. "I've loved the experience every step of the way. My dad told me today that I'm going to be happy for the right reasons and sad for the right reasons and I don't think I could have asked for better advice and for my career at Arizona to end better."
 
Hendrickson currently holds career highs of 9.875 – UB, 9.875 – BB, and 9.775 – FX.
 
"Haylie is an extremely consistent and hard worker," said junior Christina Berg. "She has been a great teammate and an even better friend."
 
Mattson holds career highs of 9.875 – VT and 9.925 – FX.
 
"Although Lauryn was medically retired this year, she always wishes the team good luck before every meet and is there cheering us on," said junior Jenny Leung. "I know the whole team will miss her positive spirit, her encouraging words, and her contagious laugh."
 
Danielle Spencer currently holds career highs of 9.900 – UB and 9.800 – FX.
 
"Dani's hard work and dedication to the sport and the team inspires and motivates us to give our all every day," said junior Maddi Leydin. "I know that Dani will continue to bring this attitude into whatever she does in the future."
 
Arizona Hosted Alumni Night
Arizona Gymnastics welcomed back alumni of the program for a reunion that occurs once every ten years. GymCat alumni were recognized before the meet and stayed to cheer on the GymCats as they posted their highest home score of the season.
 
"It was great having the alumni back in McKale and we thank them for all they have done for our program," said head coach John Court.
 
New Season Highs
Christina Berg: UB – 9.975 (tied); FX – 9.900 (tied)
Courtney Cowles: FX – 9.850 (tied)
Haylie Hendrickson: UB – 9.850; BB – 9.875
Maddi Leydin: FX – 9.925
 
New Career Highs
Christina Berg: UB – 9.975 (tied); FX – 9.900 (tied)
Courtney Cowles: FX – 9.850 (tied)
Haylie Hendrickson: BB – 9.875 (tied)
Maddi Leydin: FX – 9.925
 
Arizona will head to West Valley City, Utah for the Pac-12 Championships on Saturday, March 23 at the Maverik Center. This will be the first-ever neutral site championship for Pac-12 Gymnastics.
 
Stay connected with Arizona Gymnastics!
You can follow the team at arizonawildcats.com/gymnastics, on Facebook (Facebook.com/ArizonaGymnastics), Twitter (@ArizonaGymCats) and Instagram (@arizonagymnastics).