BERKELEY, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team started its 2017 season in record breaking fashion, totaling 194.475 to place second at the NorCal Classic on Monday night at Cal. The score was the highest by a Hornet team in a season-opener, breaking the mark of 194.400 which came at the NorCal Classic in The Nest in 2014.
Host California, which is ranked 10th in the preseason poll, claimed the team title after scoring 195.325. UC Davis was third at 193.875 while 11th ranked Stanford (193.250) and San Jose State (192.600) completed the field.
Sophomore Lauren Schmeiss set career bests in three events and Sacramento State saw Julia Konner and Caitlin Soliwoda score 38.975 and 38.800, respectively, in the all-around to lead the way. The Hornets were consistent throughout the meet with all four events ranging between 48.450 and 48.925.
Sacramento State opened the meet on bars with a 48.600. Courtney Soliwoda tied her career high with a 9.800 while Caitlin Soliwoda added a 9.725 to pace the team. Megan Kyle also set her career best with a 9.700 and was matched by Lauren Rice.
The team headed to beam during the second rotation and received a 48.500. Konner opened the lineup with a 9.725 and was helped by the final three routines. Rice scored a team high 9.800 and was immediately followed by a 9.750 from Courtney Soliwoda and a 9.70 from Caitlin Soliwoda.
On floor, Carly Pratt opened with a 9.700 and Schmiess posted a career best 9.825 to tie for third in the meet. Konner closed the rotation with a 9.775 to tie for sixth place.
The team closed the meet on vault where all six gymnasts scored between 9.700 and 9.800. Schmiess, Konner and freshman Tara Catour each scored 9.800 to tie for the team lead. The
Hornets also counted a 9.775 from Courtney Soliwoda and a 9.750 from Caitlin Soliwoda.
Sacramento State had a bye during the final rotation but was able to see its total score only be surpassed by the Golden Bears.
Konner and Caitlin Soliwoda finished 1-2 in the all-around. Konner recorded her first career all-around victory and was just shy of her career best of 39.175.
The Hornets will compete at The Nest on Friday night against San Jose State at 7 p.m.
NORCAL CLASSIC
Haas Pavilion | Berkeley, Calif.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. #10 California 195.325
2. Sacramento State 194.475
3. UC Davis 193.875
4. #11 Stanford 193.250
5. San Jose State 192.600
VAULT
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 9.950; T11. Lauren Schmeiss, Tara Catour, Julia Konner 9.800; T15. Courtney Soliwoda 9.775; T18. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; T24. Alexis Belkoff 9.700
BARS
1. Elizabeth Price, Stanford, 9.950; T9. Courtney Soliwoda 9.800; T16. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.725;
T19. Lauren Rice, Megan Kyle 9.700; 24. Julia Konner 9.675; 26. Courteney Ng 9.525
BEAM
T1. Desiree Palomares, Sofie Seilnacht, Cal, 9.875; 4. Lauren Rice 9.800; 6. Courtney Soliwoda 9.750; T7. Julia Konner 9.725; T9. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.700; 22. Lauren Schmeiss 9.525; 24. Tara Catour 9.225.
FLOOR
1. Toni-Ann Williams, Cal, 9.925; T3. Lauren Schmeiss 9.825; T6. Julia Konner 9.775; T13. Carly Pratt 9.700; T15. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.625; T21. Jennifer Brenner 9.525; 23. Tara Catour 9.400.
ALL-AROUND
1. Julia Konner 38.975; 2. Caitlin Soliwoda 38.800
