SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Caitlin Soliwoda scored a career high 39.150 to win the all-around and also earned at least a share of two other individual event tiles to lead the Sacramento State gymnastics team to a 194.400-190.900 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Friday night at The Nest.
Soliwoda scored at least 9.750 on all four of her events to set just get by her previous career best of 39.100 which came against San Jose State on Jan. 13. The junior also raised her average to 38.810 in five meets this year and continues to lead the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. She started the meet on vault with a 9.775 to place second. Soliwoda then tied for first place on bars along with her sister Courtney as each received a 9.800. She placed fourth on beam with a 9.750 and then recorded her first career win on floor with a 9.825 to set her career high.
Sacramento State never trailed in the meet, taking nearly a point lead following the first rotation and outscoring the Seawolves in three of four events. The Hornets started with a 48.725 on vault as all six gymnasts scored between 9.625 and 9.800. Julia Konner anchored the lineup and won the event with a 9.800. Freshman Alexis Belkoff placed third with a 9.750 to complete the sweep of the top three spots for the team.
On bars, the Hornets started with a 9.725 from Megan Kyle and saw the scores continue to escalate was Courteney Ng received a personal-best tying 9.775 and both Soliwodas scored 9.800. Lauren Rice, who has two event victories in the event this year, followed with a solid routine before peeling off the high bar just before her dismount which resulted in a frightening crash. Rice would eventually walk off under her own power and the team closed the rotation with a 9.675 from Jackie Sampson in her first routine of the year.
Sacramento State led by 2.975 at the midway point of the meet but ran into trouble on beam. The first two Hornets up in the rotation fell but the team rallied for a 48.175 with strong efforts from its final four gymnasts. Megan Kyle put the team back on track with a 9.650 before Rice rallied from her fall to score a season high 9.825 an win the event. Courtney Soliwoda added a 9.800 before Caitlin closed the event.
The team was very balanced during its rotation on floor as all six received scores between 9.600 and 9.825. Soliwoda had not scored higher than 9.700 this year on the event before receiving a 9.825. Jennifer Brenner placed second overall with a 9.775 and Annie Juarez was third with a 9.750.
The Hornets will next compete at San Jose State on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.
TEAM RESULTS
1. Sacramento State 194.400
2. Alaska Anchorage 190.900
VAULT
1. Julia Konner, SAC, 9.800; 2. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.775; T3. Alexis Belkoff 9.750; 5. Lauren Rice 9.725; 6. Lauren Schmeiss 9.675; 8. Megan Kyle 9.625.
BARS
1. Caitlin Soliwoda, Courtney Soliwoda, SAC, 9.800; 3. Courteney Ng 9.775; 4. Megan Kyle 9.725; 5. Jackie Sampson 9.675; 12. Lauren Rice 8.850.
BEAM
T1. Lauren Rice, SAC; Kendra Daniels, UAA, 9.825; 3. Courtney Soliwoda 9.800; 4. Caitlin Soliwoda 9.750; T6. Megan Kyle 9.650; 11. Lauren Schmeiss 9.150; 12. Julia Konner 9.100.
FLOOR
1. Caitlin Soliwoda, SAC, 9.825; 2. Jennifer Brenner 9.775; 3. Annie Juarez 9.750; T4. Julia Konner 9.725; 7. Anneke Klaver 9.650; 8. Lauren Schmeiss 9.600.
ALL-AROUND
1. Caitlin Soliwoda, SAC, 39.150.
