CEDAR CITY, Utah — Led by a pair of all-arounders who scored 39-plus, the Sacramento State gymnastics team posted its highest score of the year (195.250) on Friday night at The Centrum. As good as the Hornets were in the meet, Southern Utah was slightly better, scoring 195.700 to edge Sacramento State by less than a half point.
The Hornets scored season highs on vault, beam and floor en route to tying for the ninth highest total score in school history. The team began on bars with a 48.800 led by 9.825s from Nicole Meiller and Kalliah McCartney to tie for third place. Cayla Beutler matched her career high with a 9.775 and Cassie Benning provided a 9.750.
Sacramento State improved its score during the second rotation, scoring 48.875 on vault and recording three of the top four scores. McCartney finished first overall with a season-best 9.850. Benning and Kailey Hansen (who was vaulting for the first time this year) each scored 9.825 to tie for third. Katie Osaki also set a season high with a 9.725. The vault team total tied for the ninth highest in school history.
On floor, the team counted five scores ranging from 9.750-9.825. McCartney had the high mark while Osaki, Benning and Beutler each scored 9.800. The final score was provided by Dallas Smith who added a 9.750. The scores from Osaki, Beutler and Smith were all season highs.
Sacramento State easily had its best beam performance on the year, scoring 48.600. Hansen finished second overall with a 9.800 and Beutler was third with a 9.775. McCartney and Benning completed their all-arounds scoring 9.725 and 9.700, respectively.
Five gymnasts scored at least 39.075 in the all-around led by SUU's Jamie Armijo's 39.275. McCartney was second at 39.225 and Benning recorded a career high 39.075.
Sacramento State will host UC Davis on Friday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.
Southern Utah 195.700, Sacramento State 195.250
Vault: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.850; T2. Kailey Hansen, Cassie Benning 9.825; 10. Katie Osaki 9.725; 11. Tina Necas 9.650; 12. Claire Torgerson 9.050.
Bars: 1. Michaela Chernoch, SUU, 9.875; T3. Kalliah McCartney, Nicole Meiller 9.825; T6. Cayla Beutler 9.775; T8. Cassie Benning 9.750; 11. Ashley Wooff 9.625; 12. Kaila Kilwein 9.200.
Beam: 1. Jamie Armijo, SUU, 9.825; 2. Kailey Hansen 9.800; 3. Cayla Beutler 9.775; T6. Kalliah McCartney 9.725; T8. Cassie Benning 9.700; 11. Elideth Guerrero 9.600; 12. Dallas Smith 9.525.
Floor: 1. Michaela Chernoch, SUU, 9.850; T2. Kalliah McCartney 9.825; T4. Katie Osaki, Cayla Beutler, Cassie Benning 9.800; 9. Dallas Smith 9.750; 12. Kaila Kilwein 8.600.
All-Around: 1. Jamie Armijo, SUU, 39.275; 2. Kalliah McCartney 39.225; 5. Cassie Benning 39.075.
