University of Washington
Arizona State
Washington Breaks 197 For Second Straight Week In Win
February 18, 2018 | Gymnastics
TEMPE, Ariz. - Coming off a remarkable season-high score at home against Oregon State last weekend, the #13 Washington GymDawgs topped that on the road, scoring a 197.025 to defeat the Arizona Sun Devils on Saturday. This is the first time since 2004 that the team has put up back-to-back meets with a score at or above 197.000.
Head coach Elise Ray-Statz had hoped that last week's performance would carry over this week and saw that right out of the gate thanks as Michaela Nelson started the team off on the right foot. "It was really awesome to see Nellie start us the way she did, because warm-ups weren't great and so they really came out differently and that first routine, first person up is so super important," said Ray-Statz.
On vault, the team not only stayed calm under the tension, they excelled. Both Hailey Burleson and Evanni Roberson finished out the lineup with perfectly stuck Yurchenko Fulls, posting season-high scores of 9.875 for each of them.
Burleson would also pick up her third all-around victory of the year and second in a row, earning a score of 39.525.
The team knew a score of 9.875 from Burleson on beam would seal the team score of 197.000 they were looking for and clinch the win. With a beautiful dismount and a big smile, Burleson delivered. The senior came tantalizingly close to a perfect 10, finishing the afternoon with a 9.900 to guarantee the GymDawgs a win and a score of 197.000.
The GymDawgs were excited about the season-best performance, the second week in a row Washington has set a new season-high team score. "It was wild," said Evanni Roberson with a laugh. "It was really crazy and fun. It's such a good feeling when you know you've gone in and accomplished your goals."
Event Recaps
Vault, 49.125 – Burleson and Roberson tied for the event title as each stuck their landings, earning scores of 9.875 to match season highs for each gymnast. Copiak competed a clean Yurchenko Full to score a 9.825 in the leadoff position.
Bars, 49.200 - The GymDawgs tied their season-high score for the year, accomplished against Oregon State and at the Metroplex Challenge. Nelson started things with a score 9.825. Monica Riley would take third place in the event with a score of 9.875, her third consecutive week with a score at least that high. Burleson and Madison Copiak each scored a 9.850, with that mark tying Burleson's season-high score. Maya Washington had a solid score of 9.800 as well.
Beam, 49.325 - The GymDawgs swept the podium on beam with scores of 9.900 from Malory Rose, Roberson, and Burleson all tying for first place. It was a career high for both Rose, who lead off the lineup, and also for Roberson. Copiak scored a 9.825 while Washington put up a clean routine for a 9.800.
Floor, 49.375 – Washington's floor lineup was on fire as three out of six gymnasts tied their season-best scores. Burleson and Maya Washington won the event title with each tying their season-best scores of 9.900, a mark that is also a career high for Washington. Roberson and Kristyn Hoffa were close behind with scores of 9.875, a career-best mark for Roberson. Nelson and Zoey Schaefer each had scores of 9.825, Nelson reaching that score in just her second career floor competition.
Up Next
Washington heads home next week to face #25 Stanford. The competition will take place next Saturday, Feb. 24 at 4:00 pm. Tickets for all home meets are available online.
Make sure to follow the GymDawgs on Twitter with the username @UWGymnastics and on Instagram at uwgymnastics.
Players Mentioned
