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Pac-12 Women's Gymnastics 'Meet of the Week' preview: No. 10 Oregon State at Stanford

by Alex Espinoza
Feb 23, 2017

Who: No. 10 Oregon State at Stanford

When: Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. PT on Pac-12 Network, Bay Area and Oregon

On the call: Jim Watson and Amanda Borden

On the away side: No. 10 Oregon State (6-2, 2-2 in Pac-12)

The Beavers will be back in the Bay Area after suffering a close 197.075-196.825 loss to Cal in Berkeley last week. Still, Oregon State totes a top-10 ranking coming into Friday’s top-notch matchup against the Cardinal. During last year’s meet against Stanford in Corvallis, the Beavs claimed a slim 196.325-196.250 victory.

Beavers to Watch

Kaytianna McMillan

The senior has blossomed into one of the Pac-12’s top gymnasts this season, taking home Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week honors on Feb. 13. McMillan kept the momentum going in last week’s contest against Cal, tying teammate Madeline Gardiner for the top all-around score (39.425) for the Beavs. At this point of her career, McMillan is a major threat in all four rotations.

Madeline Gardiner

The three-time All-American remains a major star as her college career comes to a close. She highlighted the Beavers’ season-best 49.350 mark on the beam last week, recording a 9.950 to secure the meet’s highest score in an individual event. Gardiner and the beam team will have to be at the top of their game on Friday, as the Cardinal posted its season-high in the discipline (49.125) during last week’s win at Arizona State.

On the home side: Stanford (6-6, 3-2 in Pac-12)

Rachel Daum, Danielle McNair, Nicolette McNair and Haley Spector will hit the mat at Maples for the final time of their respective careers on Friday evening as Stanford will celebrate senior night. Stanford has won three of its last four meets, with its only loss coming against No. 5 UCLA (198.125-194.175) at Pauley Pavilion.

Cardinal to Watch

Elizabeth Price

After sitting out the UCLA meet due to injury, Elizabeth Price returned to Stanford and helped the Cardinal claim its 28th straight win over Arizona State (195.775-195.200) on Saturday. The junior is a two-time Pac-12 Specialist of the Week this season. Price showed why with a 9.950 mark in the bars against ASU, making it five individual bars wins in five meets this season.

Nicolette & Danielle McNair

The McNair pair will take center stage on senior day for the Cardinal. Nicolette is coming off of a strong meet vs. ASU, as she recorded or shared Stanford’s top mark in the vault (9.825) and beam (9.85). Danielle, meanwhile, recorded a 9.825 or higher in three events (vault, bars, beam) and is a top all-around threat every time she’s on the floor.

“I love the challenge that Stanford has been able to offer me both in academics and athletics,” Nicolette McNair said, via GoStanford.com, “but it wouldn't have been worthwhile unless I had my teammates by my side. They are the ones who have made these last four years so meaningful.”

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