Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Utes to Finish Regional on Beam

The No. 2 University of Utah will have to close out its campaign for a spot at the NCAA Championships on the precarious balance beam at the regional championships in Seattle. 

If Utah enters the last rotation in any danger of not qualifying, the pressure could be on.

Only the top two teams from each region advance to the NCAA Championships to be held in Lincoln, Neb., and Utah Head Coach Greg Marsden said beam is not his first choice for ending the competition, but the Utes should be able to handle it.

"If I got to choose, I'd probably tuck beam somewhere in the middle of the rotation, but honestly, with the way we've performed on beam this season, we feel like it could be a positive for us," he said.

The Utes compete Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NCAA West Regional Championship.


Other Top 20 News:
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 29, 2009

UCLA Solid on Beam to Claim Pac-10 Title

UCLA claimed the Pac-10 conference title last weekend thanks to a season-high performance in the final rotation. UCLA scored a 196.725 to edge Oregon's 196.550 and Stanford's 196.525.

The win gives UCLA its 14th Pac-10 title, and places the Bruins as the No. 2 seed in the North Central Regional.

The Bruins started the competition on floor exercise, where they scored their first of four even scores over 49.00. Ending on beam, the Bruins needed a 49.15 on the event for the win. They delivered hitting six for six and earning a season-high 49.325.

"We fought hard and never gave up," said UCLA Head Coach Valerie Kondos Field. "They literally played hard until the very end. They've been in enough situations over the season that they've learned it's not over till the last person competes, and I'm thrilled we were able to have our best beam performance here at Pac-10s having to hit to win."

The Bruins next compete in Iowa City in their regional final on April 4. 



Other Top 20 News:
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Alabama Upsets Georgia for SEC Title

The University of Alabama ended No. 1 Georgia's undefeated run this season in the Southeastern Conference Championship 197.3–196.925 on March 21.

The Tide redeemed itself after a narrow loss to the Gym Dogs in last year's SECs, proving that the nine-time national champion Georgia won't be unbeatable in this year's NCAA championship. 

Alabama notched its season high team total at this meet as well as its best scores on three of the four events.

"I'm just so proud of our ladies," said Alabama Head Coach Sarah Patterson. "I'm almost speechless. We weren't perfect. We had some mistakes, but it was total team work."

The Tide next hosts the NCAA Northeast Regional at home on April 4.



Other Top 20 News:
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Georgia Finishes Season Undefeated in Yoculan's Last Home Meet

The No. 1 Georgia Gym Dogs dominated No. 14 Michigan 197.400–195.825 in four gym dog seniors' and 26-year Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan's last home meet on Saturday.

The Gym Dogs finished their regular season undefeated with a perfect 12–0 record and will undoubtedly enter the post-season ranked No. 1 as they go for a fifth-straight national title.

Saturday's competition honored the Gym Dog seniors with Senior Night as well as Yoculan, who is retiring at the end of the 2009 season. 

"It has been a journey," Yoculan said. "Life is about opportunities and chances and I have been blessed to have the success and support to build a program here. It's amazing 26 years have gone by, but gymnastics is just a sport and not the most important thing in life."

The Gym Dogs move on to the SEC Championships next weekend in Nashville, Tenn.


Other Top 20 News:




Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Utah Seniors Say Goodbye With Win Over Florida

Led by the performances of seniors Nina Kim and Kristina Baskett, No. 2 Utah easily topped No. 4 Florida 197.075–196.00 Friday night in Salt Lake City.

The competition was the two seniors' last at home, and each turned in some of her best performances of her career (Baskett and Kim went 1–2 in the all-around, respectively) while leading the Utes to an 11–1 record on the season.

Seniors sometimes have difficulty performing to their capabilities on senior night, but Kim and Baskett said they had nothing to lose in front of the home crowd of 15,000.  

"We figured they already love us, how much would we have to mess up for them to hate us," Kim said of the fans.

The Utes wrap up their regular season next weekend at BYU.


Other Top 20 News:



Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 8, 2009

No. 1 Georgia Still Unbeatable

With ten wins already under their belt, the No. 1 Georgia Gym Dogs defeated No. 6 UCLA 197.725–196.125 Sunday at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion.

Georgia moves to 11–0 on the season and looks poised to challenge for a fifth-straight NCAA national title next month.

Georgia has been unstoppable this season, knocking off ranked opponents at home and away and setting the NCAA high score of 198.200 last weekend. 

"This team is on a mission," said Georgia Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan, who is retiring after the 2009 season. "They say they are unstoppable, and I am starting to believe them."

The Gym Dogs will compete against Michigan next Saturday to close out regular season competition.


Other Top 20 News:


Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, March 7, 2009

OSU Emerges With Big Win on Senior Night

The No. 9 Oregon State gymnastics team recorded a 197.500 to easily defeat Washington University and Seattle Pacific Friday night. 

Oregon's team score was its highest this season and is the third highest in the NCAA this season behind the University of Georgia's 198.200 and Utah's 197.525.

OSU set a school record on uneven bars with a 49.575 team total and 14 career and season highs were set on the night. The Beavers also hit 24-for-24 routines for the first time this season.

"We talked a lot about taking control and charge of what we do individually," said Head Coach Tanya Chaplin. "I wanted them to take control of their individual routines and build off each other, and they did a very good job of that tonight."

OSU next travels to Missouri on March 13 to close the regular season.


Other Top 20 News:





Posted by at No comments:

Friday, March 6, 2009

Alabama Tops No. 3 Stanford

The No. 5 University of Alabama defeated No. 3 Stanford in Tuscaloosa Friday night 197.150–196.775. 

The win improves Alabama's record to 6–5 on the season, which includes two losses to top-five teams Georgia and Florida. 

Alabama Head Coach Sarah Patterson said the Tide has shown increased consistency in the past three competitions. 

"In three meets, we've really just had one sub-par event, and that would be the floor exercise at Penn State," she said. "Tonight I think the ladies stepped up and did a great job for us."

Alabama closes out regular season competition next weekend in a home meet against the Universities of Oklahoma and North Carolina.


Other Top 20 News:



Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Georgia Sets NCAA High Score in Win Over Florida

The No. 1 University of Georgia topped conference rival No. 7 Florida Saturday night in Athens, Ga. 198.200–196.650. Georgia's team score is its best of the year and the current NCAA season high.

The defending national champion Georgia remains undefeated in the regular season (10–0) and looks poised to claim a fifth-straight national title in 2009.

Georgia senior Courtney Kupets scored a career high 39.850 in the all-around and a perfect 10 on floor exercise to help clinch the Gym Dogs' win.

"We wanted to fight for everything today," Kupets said. "Inside we always felt we had this potential, so it was great to see today. If we stay on the track we're on, I  think we will do great."

Georgia next travels to Los Angeles to meet No. 4 UCLA on March 8.


More Top 20 News:



Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)