Utah crowned 2014 Pac-12 women's gymnastics champion

BERKELEY, Calif. - UTAH claimed the 2014 Pac-12 Women’s Gymnastics Championship for the first time since they joined the Pac-12 in Haas Pavilion on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. The Utes recorded their second highest total of the season with a 197.925 to capture first place. STANFORD came in second with a total of 197.175, while CALIFORNIA took third with a 196.550.

 

UCLA rounded out the top half with a 196.525, while OREGON STATE took home fifth with a 196.275. ARIZONA placed sixth earning a 196.250, and ARIZONA STATE (195.500) and WASHINGTON (195.125) took home seventh and eighth place, respectively. 

 

The top four seeds entering the Pac-12 Championships competed in the first session, leaving host California, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington to compete for the title in the later session. Each of the four schools competing in session two tried to make their mark in the first event, knowing that they needed to put forth their best efforts to have a shot at the title. After the first routine, California held the top spot with a vault total of 49.150. Arizona followed recording a 48.700 on bars with Arizona State close behind with a 48.625 on beam. Washington was able to come off of a tough routine on floor and totaled a 48.275 on the event to take fourth.

 

Team standings for the second session saw little change after the second routine of the evening as the Golden Bears held on to their lead with a score of 49.075 on bars for a total of 98.225. Arizona State (97.875) was able to gain ground on California as they recorded a team score of 49.250 on floor, passing Arizona (97.725). The Wildcats fell to third after scoring 49.025 on beam. Washington sits at fourth with 48.750 on vault and a team total of 97.025.

 

Heading into the final rotation of the evening, the standings for the second session stayed the same with California taking the commanding lead with a team score of 147.500. Cal earned a score of 49.275 on beam. The Sun Devils were close behind with a team total of 147.025 and a vault score of 49.150. Arizona (146.825) and Washington (145.975) were third and fourth entering the final rotation, respectively. The fourth and final rotation of the day was highlighted by the Golden Bears of California as they climbed the standings to finish third overall with a team total of 196.550. The Utes, who finished first in the first session, were able to celebrate their first Pac-12 Conference title as the final rotation came to a close.

 

There was a four-way tie for the vault title as WASHINGTON’s Aliza Vaccher, UTAH’sGeorgia Dabritz, and ARIZONA’s   Allison Flores and Shelby Edwards.

 

With the perfect 10.0, Utah’s Dabritz also took home the bar title. Coming in second was Stanford’s Nicolette McNair with a score of 9.950. In a three-way tie for third on bars all earning a 9.925 was Utah’s Nansy Damianova and Stanford’s Samantha Shapiro andKristina Vaculik.

 

UCLA’s Samantha Peszek claimed the title on beam with a score of 9.925. There was a seven-way tie for second place in the event. CALIFORNIA’s Serena Leong and Jessica Howe, Washington’s Allison Northey and Jackie McCartin, UCLA’s Danusia Francis, and Utah’s Mary Beth Lofgren and Corrie Lothrop all finished with scores of 9.90. 

 

Utah swept the floor title with a first place tie between Utah’s Dabritz and Damianova. Utah’s Lia Del Priore and Becky Tutka tallied a 9.925 to tie for third. 

 

The all-around title went to Utah’s Wilson (39.450) with California’s Alicia Asturias and UCLA’s Peszek tying for second place (39.425).

 

In a voting by the Conference coaches, UTAH junior Tory Wilson has been named the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year. STANFORD’s freshman Nicolette McNair has been named the Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. For the first time, Utah’s co-head coachesGreg and Megan Marsden were named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year. This is the first time a Utah head coach has been named the Coach of the Year in gymnastics since Utah joined the Pac-12 Conference in 2010. Utah’s Georgia Dabritz is named the Special Performer of the Year. The Gymnast of the Year and Coach of the Year awards were started in 1987, the Freshman of the Year was added in 2000 and the Specialist of the Year  honor was added last year.

 

1. Utah 197.925

2. Stanford 197.175

3. California 196.550

4. UCLA 196.525

5. Oregon State 196.275

6. Arizona 196.250

7. Arizona State 195.500

8. Washington 195.125