WVU Gymnastics Falls to NC State, Prepares for Tri-Meet at Pitt
RALEIGH, N.C. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team scored a 195.725 to finish in second place behind No. 21 NC State, who scored a 196.65, inside Valvano Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday night.1
The score marked WVU’s fourth straight 195.0+ team score, and is the Mountaineers’ third-highest score of the campaign.1 West Virginia recorded scores of 48.85 on vault and uneven bars, 48.95 on balance beam and a 49.075 on floor exercise.1
Mountaineer Performances
Junior Amber Lowe led the way on uneven bars, sticking her dismount to set a new season best and tie her career high with a 9.875.1 She was followed by a trio of 9.775s from junior Jayden McDonnell and freshmen Kayla Smith and Haley Mendoza. Sophomore Kaelyn Skeel finished the scoring with a 9.65.1
On vault, a pair of stuck landings from Kayla Smith and sophomore Emerson Smith earned matching 9.8s to lead the Mountaineers.1 Senior Carlee Nelson and sophomores Karleigh DiCello and Sophia Rice completed the scoring with three 9.75s.1
West Virginia excelled on floor exercise, with a pair of 9.85s from Kayla Smith and junior Jurnee Lane pacing the event.1 Freshman Auden Pederson was close behind with a 9.825, while Rice and Emerson Smith added two 9.775s.1
Finishing on balance beam, Lowe once again led the way with a 9.85, before Lane scored a season-best 9.825.1 Kayla Smith also reached a new career best on the event with a 9.8, closely followed by Mendoza with a 9.775. Junior Kaylei Adams finished off the meet by scoring a 9.7, which was used to replace a fall earlier in the lineup.1
All-Around and Upcoming Schedule
Kayla Smith secured a new career-best all-around total of 39.225 to earn first place.1 Kayla and Emerson Smith tied for third place on vault, while Kayla also tied for third on beam. Lowe tallied a tie for third on bars and earned a solo win on beam.1
West Virginia will wrap up its regular season in a tri-meet at Pitt with Illinois State on Sunday, March 15.1 Competition at Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.1
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