USAFA, Colo. — The 24th-ranked Sacramento State gymnastics team improved to 5-1 on the season following a 193.150-191.475 victory over Air Force on Saturday at Cadet Gym. The Hornets scored 48.400 or better in three events but were held back by a shaky performance on floor which resulted in a 47.250.
Sacramento State started the night on bars but found itself trailing the Falcons following the first rotation. The Hornets amassed a score of 48.400 compared to a 48.525 from Air Force on vault. Megan Kyle and Courteney Ng each received a 9.650 to start the lineup. Caitlin Soliwoda raised the total with a 9.775 before Courtney Soliwoda added a 9.525. The high mark for the Hornets came from Lauren Rice who finished first in the event with a 9.800.
Sacramento State moved ahead for good with a 48.625 on vault during the second rotation. As was the case in the first two meets, the Hornets were extremely consistent on vault as the team counted five scores between 9.675 and 9.775. Courtney Soliwoda led the team and tied for second overall with a 9.775. Caitlin Soliwoda finished in fourth place at 9.750.
Both teams encountered problems during the third rotation as the Hornets scored 47.250 on floor and the Falcons received a 46.675 on beam. Carly Pratt opened the lineup with a 9.675. After the next two gymnasts suffered falls, Caitlin Soliwoda contributed a 9.700. Another fall came before Annie Juarez produced a 9.825 to win the event in her first performance of the season.
The team closed the meet on beam where it scored 48.875 for its best score of the year on the event. All six Hornets scored 9.725 or better and claimed the top six spots on the event. Tara Catour and Caitlin Soliwoda led the way with 9.800s to share the individual title. Rice and Courtney Soliwoda tied for third at 9.775 and Konner and Kyle each scored 9.725 to tie for fifth.
Caitlin Soliwoda won the all-around for the second straight meet with a four-event total of 39.025.
Sacramento State will next compete at UC Davis on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 1 p.m.
TEAM SCORES
1. Sacramento State 193.150
2. Air Force 191.475
VAULT
1. Kara Witgen, AF, 9.800; T2. Courtney Soliwoda 9.775; T4. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; 7. Alexis Belkoff 9.725; 8. Tara Catour 9.700; 9. Lauren Schmeiss 9.675; 11. Julia Konner 9.225.
BARS
1. Lauren Rice, SAC, 9.800; 2. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.775; T5. Megan Kyle, Courteney Ng, 9.650; 9. Courtney Soliwoda 9.525; 12. Julia Konner 8.250.
BEAM
T1. Caitlin Soliwoda, Tara Catour, SAC, 9.800; T3. Courtney Soliwoda, Lauren Rice 9.725; T5. Julia Konner, Megan Kyle 9.725.
FLOOR
1. Annie Juarez, SAC, 9.825; 4. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.700; T5. Carly Pratt 9.675; 10. Jennifer Brenner 9.200; T11. Julia Konner, Alexis Belkoff 8.850.
ALL-AROUND
1. Caitlin Soliwoda, SAC, 39.025; 3. Julia Konner 36.050.
