PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Apr. 10) – TWU freshman gymnast
Alyssa Kelly posted two career-highs to help the Pioneers to a second place finish in the first team semifinal session at the 2015 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships. TWU will now advance to the team finals of the event on Saturday, Apr. 11, at 6:00 p.m. (CST).
The Pioneers entered the meet as the No. 6 seed and scored a 193.975 to finish behind second-seeded Lindenwood. The Liones totaled a 194.050 to move on to the team finals with TWU. No. 3 seed Brown scored a 191.900 to place third and the No. 7 seed Air Force finished fourth with a 190.400. TWU scored a 48.150 or higher on all four events.
Kelly tied her career-high on bars with a 9.800 and then set a new career-high on beam with another 9.800.
The Pioneers opened the meet on floor with a 48.850 after five TWU gymnasts scored a 9.700 or higher. Senior
Kayla Jones led TWU with a 9.850 and tied for first overall while senior
Spencer Jones scored a 9.825. Freshman
Schyler Jones posted a 9.750, freshman
Mallory Moredock finished with a 9.725 and senior
Stephanie Repp scored a 9.700.
The Pioneers then moved to vault in the second rotation and scored a 48.400. Freshman
Madison Nettles was the team leader with a 9.825 while sophomore
Katie Simpson posted a 9.725 and Moredock and Repp both scored a 9.675.
In the third rotation on bars, TWU scored a 48.575. Senior
Courtney Cochefski finished first on the event with a 9.850 while Kelly placed second overall with a 9.800. Simpson also scored a solid scored with a 9.675.
In the final rotation on beam, the Pioneers finished with a 48.150 led by Repp, who finished with a 9.825 to finish first overall. Kelly again placed second overall with a 9.800 and Moredock scored a 9.550.
"Our goal today was to advance to the team finals and we accomplished our goal," said TWU head coach
Lisa Bowerman. "We had couple of uncharacteristic mistakes but overall it was a solid team performance. It was great to see some of the younger gymnasts step up. We are excited and ready to leave everything out there tomorrow."
TWU also qualified numerous gymnasts for the Individual Event Finals on Sunday, Apr. 12. Cochefski (bars), Kelly (bars and beam),
Kayla Jones (floor),
Spencer Jones (floor), Nettles (vault) and Repp (beam) will all compete for individual titles on the final day of competition.
"It is nice have representation on all four events at the individual finals," Bowerman said. "I am so happy that all four of our seniors are going to compete on Sunday.
Alyssa Kelly had a great day with two good performances and I am proud of her. Nettles has been consistent on vault all season and I am not surprised to see her in the event finals."
Team Scores:1) Lindenwood – 194.050
2) Texas Woman's – 193.975
3) Brown – 191.900
4) Air Force 190.400
TWU Individual Scores:VAULT:
Spencer Jones 9.500; Moredock 9.675; Repp 9.675; Simpson 9.725;
Schyler Jones 9.225; Nettles 9.825
BARS: Nettles 9.550;
Schyler Jones 9.600;
Spencer Jones 9.650; Simpson 9.675; Kelly 9.800; Cochefski 9.850
BEAM: Moredock 9.550; Kelly 9.800; Simpson 9.475;
Schyler Jones 9.500,
Spencer Jones 9.150 and Repp 9.825
FLOOR: Nettles 9.600; Moredock 9.725; Repp 9.700;
Schyler Jones 9.750;
Kayla Jones 9.850;
Spencer Jones 9.825
ALL-AROUND:
Schyler Jones 38.125,
Spencer Jones 38.075
