SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team scored a season high 195.400 but came up short against UC Davis which scored 196.225 on Senior Day at The Nest on Sunday. The score was also tied for the 10th best in school history and the highest since 2018.
The Hornets and Aggies were separated by just two-tenths of a point at the midway point of the meet before UC Davis pulled away behind strong performances on floor and beam. Despite the loss, Sacramento State's score bettered its previous season best of 195.000 which also came at home to UC Davis on Feb. 11.
The Hornets started on vault with their second consecutive 49-plus score as they totaled 49.075. That score gave the team a slight edge as the Aggies scored 48.875 on bars in the same rotation. All six gymnasts received scores of 9.700 or better led by Emma Morgenthaler who finished in a three-way tie for first with a 9.875. Torri Tavenner and Mary Won were each received 9.800s to tie for seventh overall.
The lead swung to UC Davis in the second rotation behind a 49.225 on vault while Sacramento State totaled 48.825 on bars. Senior Destiny Watley received a 9.850 to tie for first place and lead the team. Fellow senior Amber Koeth was fourth with a 9.800.
In the third rotation, the Aggies gained some breathing room after scoring 49.425 on floor compared to a 48.700 from the Hornets on beam. Sacramento State's top score on the event came from Peyton Gillen who placed fourth with a 9.825.
The Hornets appeared to have a shot at a comeback in the fourth rotation as UC Davis started with a fall. However, the Aggies next four gymnasts each scored 9.900 or better helping the team to 48.700 despite having to count a fall. The Hornets closed the meet with a 48.800 on floor with Koeth anchoring the lineup with a 9.850. The four other scores which counted towards the team total landed between 9.700 and 9.775.
Kyle Kessler set a personal best to win the all-arounder with a total of 39.425. Kessler scored 9.825 on bars, 9.850 on vault, 9.950 to win floor and ended with a 9.800 on beam. Morgenthaler was second after scoring 39.050.
Sacramento State will next compete at Arizona on Thursday, March 10, before heading to Davis for the MPSF Championships on March 19.
Team Results
1. UC Davis 196.225
2. Sacramento State 195.400
Vault
T1. Emma Morgenthaler, SAC; Emily Pires, Keanna Abraham, UCD, 9.875; T5. Grace Gilman 9.825; T7. Torri Tavenner, Mary Won 9.800; 10. Sarah Fitzgerald 9.775; 11. Destiny Watley 9.700.
Bars
T1. Destiny Watley, SAC; Thea Michovsky, UCD, 9.850; 4. Amber Koeth 9.800; T5. Emma Morgenthaler, Torri Tavenner 9.750; 10. Shaye Mathias 9.675; 11. Sarah Fitzgerald 9.350.
Beam
T1. Rachel Schuelke, Keanna Abraham, UCD, 9.925; 4. Peyton Gillen 9.825; 6. Grace Gilman 9.775; 7. Amber Koeth 9.750; 8. Shaye Mathias 9.700; 9. Emma Morgenthaler 9.650; 12. Destiny Watley 8.900.
Floor
1. Kyla Kessler, UCD, 9.950; T4. Amber Koeth 9.850; T8. Mary Won, Emma Morgenthaler 9.775; T10. Sarah Fitzgerald, Grace Gilman 9.700; 12. Destiny Watley 9.600.
All-Around
1. Kyla Kessler, UCD, 39.425; 2. Emma Morgenthaler 39.050; 3. Destiny Watley 38.050.
