SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team began its 2016 season in impressive fashion, placing third at the NorCal Classic and narrowly missing a school record on Sunday at San Jose State. The team totaled 194.325 to finish behind No. 14 California (195.575) and No. 8 Stanford (194.800) and ahead of UC Davis (192.700) and host San Jose State (191.800). The score was also just off the school record in a season opening meet (194.400) which came in 2014.
Sophomore Lauren Rice placed second in the all-around and also tied for second on floor to lead the Hornets. Rice totaled 38.950 in her four events and finished one-tenth behind Stanford's Elizabeth Price for the top spot. Rice's sister, Taylor, was third at 38.350 while competing for Stanford.
After a bye in the first rotation, Sacramento State started the meet on bars where it scored 48.150. Rice and Cassie Benning tied for the team best with each receiving 9.725 to tie for 11th place. Senior Kalliah McCartney ranked third on the team with a 9.675 and Megan Kyle scored 9.550. The final score towards the team total came from Alyssa Anderson who received a 9.475.
The Hornets turned to beam in the third rotation where Caitlin Soliwoda helped lead the team to a 48.525. The sophomore scored 9.775 to tie for fifth place. Rice, McCartney and Benning were close behind and each finished among the top 13. Rice tied for eighth place with a 9.750. McCartney's 9.725 placed her in a tie for 11th and Benning tied for 13th with a 9.700. Anderson added the fifth score with a 9.575.
On floor, Rice shattered her career high with a 9.875. Her score tied Cal's Jessica Howe for the second best of the meet and was just .025 behind Stanford's Price for the top spot. Jesse Williams matched her career best of 9.850 on floor and tied for fourth place. Benning tied for 12th at 9.775 and freshman Lauren Schmeiss made her collegiate debut with a 9.750 to tie for 17th. Sophomore Jennifer Brenner added a 9.725 and the team finished with a total of 48.975.
Sacramento State ended the meet on vault and counted five scores of at least 9.700 and totaled 48.675. Megan Kyle began the rotation with a 9.700 and was followed by a 9.600 from Rice. Schmeiss scored 9.725 and Julia Konner immediately added a 9.700. Soliwoda and McCartney anchored the lineup with 9.750 and 9.800, respectively. McCartney's score tied her for third place while Soliwoda tied for 10th.
The Hornets will return to San Jose State for a dual meet against the Spartans on Friday, Jan. 15. The team's first home meet will come on Jan. 29 against UC Davis.
TEAM SCORES
1. #14 California 195.575
2. #8 Stanford 194.800
3. Sacramento State 194.325
4. UC Davis 192.700
5. San Jose State 191.800
VAULT
T1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford; Toni-Ann Williams, Cal 9.850; T3. Kalliah McCartney 9.800; T10. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; T13. Lauren Schmeiss 9.725; T15. Julia Konner, Megan Kyle 9.700; 24. Lauren Rice 9.600.
BARS
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 9.900; T11. Lauren Rice, Cassie Benning 9.725; T17. Kalliah McCartney 9.675; T21. Megan Kyle 9.550; 23. Alyssa Anderson 9.475; 25. Courteney Ng, 9.100.
BEAM
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 9.850; T5. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.775; T8. Lauren Rice 9.750; T11. Kalliah McCartney 9.725; T13. Cassie Benning 9.700; 20. Alyssa Anderson 9.575; 22. Julia Konner 9.525.
FLOOR
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 9.900; T2. Lauren Rice 9.875; T4. Jesse Williams 9.850; T12. Cassie Benning 9.775; T17. Lauren Schmeiss 9.750; 19. Jennifer Brenner 9.725; 28. Julia Konner 9.250.
ALL-AROUND
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 39.500; 2. Lauren Rice 38.950.
