SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State gymnastics team produced its best score in nearly seven years and rallied for a narrow 195.725-195.650 victory over Air Force on Friday at The Nest. The score is the fifth highest in school history and the best since the team totaled 196.300 at the MPSF Championships on March 19, 2016.

The Hornets accounted for the individual winner on all four events. Amber Koeth claimed the top spot in all three of her events, sharing the honor with freshman Kara Houghton on bars and floor. Emma Morgenthaler added a victory on vault to spark the team.

The teams were never separated by more than three-tenths of point throughout the meet. Air Force opened with a strong showing on bars, totaling 48.975 and held the lead following the first rotation as Sacramento State scored 48.650. The Hornets were led by Morgenthaler who anchored the lineup with a 9.800. Freshman Rylin Zimmerman placed second with a career-high tying 9.775.

The Hornets took their first lead at the midway point of the meet. The team totaled 49.150 on bars which is tied for the fourth best in program history. Despite the high score, the Falcons held their ground, finishing vault with a 48.625 and giving Sacramento State a two-tenths lead. Torri Tavenner started the rotation by matching her career high of 9.850. Two gymnasts later, Sarah Fitzgerald provided a 9.825 and Houghton added a career best 9.875. Koeth completed the lineup with a 9.875 of her own to tie her career best.

Air Force remained within striking distance with a 48.925 on floor compared to a 48.975 on beam for the Hornets. Once again, Sacramento State got a strong score from the top of its lineup as Grace Gilman received a 9.825. Seniors Peyton Gillen and Amber Koeth solidified the score with a 9.800 and 9.900, respectively. Koeth has now scored 9.90 or better in her last three routines.

The Falcons jumped ahead early in the final rotation with the help of three scores of 9.775 or better on beam. Air Force finished with a 49.125 and awaited Koeth's performance on floor in the final routine for Sacramento State. Koeth responded with a 9.850 and an earlier score was adjusted following an inquiry to give Sacramento State the victory.

Sacramento State will hold its final home meet of the season on Friday, Mar. 3, in a four-team meet against San Jose State, Southern Utah and UC Davis at 7 p.m. Following the meet, the team will honor its seniors as well as head coach Randy Solorio.
 


RESULTS
1. Sacramento State 195.725
2. Air Force 195.650

VAULT
1. Emma Morgenthaler, SAC, 9.800; 2. Rylin Zimmerman 9.775; 6. Sarah Fitzgerald 9.725; T8. Grace Gilman, Torri Tavenner 9.675; 12. Bella Lahmidi 9.625.

BARS
T1. Kara Houghton, Amber Koeth, SAC, 9.875; 3. Torri Tavenner 9.850; T4. Sarah Fitzgerald 9.825; 11. Bella Lahmidi 9.725; 12. Emma Morgenthaler 9.675.

BEAM
1. Amber Koeth 9.900; T4. Grace Gilman 9.825; 7. Peyton Gillen 9.800; 9. Emma Morgenthaler 9.750; T10. Kara Houghton 9.700; 12. Rylin Zimmerman 9.475.

FLOOR
T1. Kara Houghton, Amber Koeth, SAC, 9.850; T3. Emma Morgenthaler 9.825; T8, Grace Gilman 9.725; 10. Bella Lahmidi 9.700; 11. Anna LeRoy 9.575.

ALL-AROUND
1. Velandra Borchi, AF, 39.250; 3. Emma Morgenthaler 39.050.