SEATTLE — The Sacramento State gymnastics team accounted for the first-place finisher on all four events and the in the all-around for the second consecutive week and cruised to a 194.425-188.425 victory at Seattle Pacific on Friday night.
The Hornets, which entered the meet ranked 28th nationally, have now scored 194.325 or better in all three meets this season. The team's average of 194.550 is the best through three meets in school history and is even more impressive when you consider each competition has been away from home.
On Friday, Kalliah McCartney finished first on vault, beam and in the all-around and tied for first on bars to lead the charge. She was joined atop the podium for bars by Lauren Rice and Caitlin Soliwoda. Rice also finished first on floor.
McCartney, who is the reigning MPSF Gymnast of the Week, produced a season high 39.250 to win the all-around. Rice was second at 38.875. The victory for McCartney was the 13th in the all-around during her career.
Sacramento State started the meet on bars and scored 48.300. Soliwoda set a career high with a 9.750 and also earned her first career event victory on any event. She was immediately followed in the lineup by Rice and McCartney who matched the score. Cassie Benning closed out the rotation with a 9.700 to place fourth.
On vault, the Hornets scored 48.425. Megan Kyle returned to the lineup after missing the last meet and opened with a 9.575. Rice posted a 9.650 before freshman Lauren Schmeiss scored 9.600. Soliwoda contributed a 9.575 before Julia Konner and McCartney sparked the team with a 9.775 and 9.825, respectively. Konner tied for second place in the event while Rice finished fifth.
Sacramento State was able to gain further separation during the third rotation with a 48.925 on floor. Jennifer Brenner was a late addition to the lineup and started with a 9.600. McCartney posted a 9.800 and Konner scored 9.750. After a 9.725 from Jesse Williams, Rice scored 9.850 and Benning closed with a 9.800. As a team, the Hornets are averaging 48.992 on floor this year.
The team ended the night on beam with a 48.775. Anderson opened the lineup with a career high 9.825 to place third. Konner was fourth overall with a 9.725 and Benning followed with a 9.650. Rice scored 9.625 before Soliwoda added a 9.700 and McCartney produced a 9.875 for the highest score of the night on any event.
The Hornets (4-2) will host their first meet of the year on Friday, Jan. 29, against UC Davis. The meet will start at 7 p.m. from The Nest.
TEAM SCORES
1. Sacramento State 194.425
2. Seattle Pacific 188.425
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (winner plus Sacramento State)
VAULT: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.825; T2. Julia Konner 9.775; 5. Lauren Rice 9.650; 6. Lauren Schmeiss 9.600; T7. Megan Kyle, Caitlin Soliwoda, 9.575.
BARS: T1. Caitlin Soliwoda, Lauren Rice, Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.750; 4. Cassie Benning 9.700; T8. Alyssa Anderson 9.350; 10. Courteney Ng 9.200.
BEAM: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 9.875; 3. Alyssa Anderson 9.825; 4. Julia Konner 9.725; T5. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.700; T7. Cassie Benning 9.650; 9. Lauren Rice 9.625.
FLOOR: 1. Lauren Rice, SAC, 9.850; T3. Kalliah McCartney, Cassie Benning 9.800; 5. Julia Konner 9.750; T6. Jesse Williams 9.725; 9. Jennifer Brenner 9.600.
ALL-AROUND: 1. Kalliah McCartney, SAC, 39.250; 2. Lauren Rice 38.875.
