CORVALLIS, Ore. — Junior Cassie Benning tied for third on bars with a career high 9.875 but the Sacramento State gymnastics team could not overcome a rough start at Oregon State on Friday night. The Hornets scored 193.200 and finished third out of four teams. Washington, which entered the meet ranked 17th, scored 196.300 to win the meet. Host No. 10 Oregon State was second at 195.800 while Div. III Hamline scored 184.025 to place fourth.
The Hornets opened the meet on beam and encountered early trouble. After Kayla Wonderly and Courtney Soliwoda scored 9.650 and 9.700, respectively, the team was forced to count a fall when its next two gymnasts each came off the beam. Alyssa Anderson followed with a 9.525 before Kalliah McCartney concluded the rotation with a 9.800 which tied her for fourth in the meet. However, McCartney reinjured her ankle during the event and was unable to compete on floor and vault.
Sacramento State got back on track with a 48.350 on floor during the second rotation. Freshman Annie Juarez scored 9.825 to tie for fourth place overall. Dallas Smith added a 9.750 and Julia Konner had a 9.625 to lead the team.
With McCartney already sidelined, Sacramento State suffered another blow when Juarez was forced out of vault with an ankle injury of her own. Despite having two of its top vaulters sidelined, the team rallied for a 48.600 in the event as three gymnasts scored 9.775 or better. Konner paced the team with a season high 9.800 which tied for eighth overall. Tina Necas also posted a season high 9.775 and Caitlin Soliwoda matched the score to tie her career best.
The Hornets concluded the meet on bars with a 48.750 — their second highest score on the event this year. With three scores of at least 9.600 already in the books, Wonderly and McCartney each scored 9.800 to tie for ninth place in the meet. Wonderly's score was the highest of her four-year career while McCartney was also to equal her season best. Benning then anchored the lineup with a career high 9.875. The junior's previous best was 9.825 which came in the prior meet.
Sacramento State returns home to face George Washington on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m.
TEAM SCORES: 1. Washington 196.300; 2. Oregon State 195.800; 3. Sacramento State 193.200; 4. Hamline 184.025.
VAULT: T1. Madeline Gardiner, OSU; Allison Northey, UW, 9.900; T8. Julia Konner 9.800; T12. Tina Necas, Caitlin Soliwoda 9.775; 16. Lauren Rice 9.650; 18. Jennifer Brenner 9.600; T20. Alyssa Anderson 9.525.
BARS: 1. Erika Aufiero, OSU, 9.925; T3. Cassie Benning 9.875; T9. Kayla Wonderly, Kalliah McCartney 9.800; 15. Lauren Rice 9.650; 16. Tina Necas 9.625; 17. Courtney Soliwoda 9.600.
BEAM: 1. Chelsea Tang, OSU, 9.900; T4. Kalliah McCartney 9.800; 13. Courtney Soliwoda 9.700; 14. Kayla Wonderly 9.650; 17. Alyssa Anderson 9.525; 19. Cassie Benning 8.825; 22. Lauren Rice 8.325.
FLOOR: T1. Chelsea Tang, OSU; Allison Northey, Zoey Schaefer, UW, 9.850; T4. Annie Juarez 9.825; 12. Dallas Smith 9.750; 13. Julia Konner 9.625; 14. Cassie Benning 9.600; 15. Jennifer Brenner 9.550; T21. Lauren Rice 8.900.
ALL-AROUND: 1. Allison Northey, UW, 39.450; 3. Lauren Rice 36.525.
