No. 17 Arizona gymnastics capped off a busy spring break, placing fifth overall in the Pac-12 Conference tournament and first place in its session, earning a team score of 196.225. The Wildcats were able to shut out California, Washington and ASU to claim first place after the first session.
Highlighting the meet was junior gymnast Jessie Sisler, who claimed a three-way share of the Pac-12 Floor Championship behind a 9.950 in the event.
“We are in one of the most competitive conferences in the country,” Arizona gymnastics coach Bill Ryden said in a press release. “We knew going in that everyone competing today was going to be really good, so we just had to hope that we could compete well throughout the day. I honestly don’t think we could have prepared anymore. I felt that we had done everything we could do, so it was a matter of how they executed what we have practiced.”
On vault, the GymCats totaled a team score of 48.875. Sisler led in the event with a 9.825, and three of her teammates, Madison Cindric, Shelby Edwards and Gabby Laub, followed Sisler, each with a score of 9.775.
The Wildcats tallied 48.975 on the uneven bars. Cindric led the Wildcats behind a 9.850, and Selynna Felix-Terrazas added a 9.825. Laub tallied a 9.800 as well.
Arizona finished the meet on floor in style, totaling a 49.275, its highest team score of the meet. Kennady Schneider scored 9.875, and Lexi Mills followed with a 9.850.
The Wildcats concluded their regular season against No. 18 University of Denver on Saturday, March 14 in McKale Center, tying the Pioneers 196.850-196.850. The meet was the final moment in McKale Center for Arizona senior gymnasts Allie Flores, Amber Wobma and Shay Fox, and also marked the final meet for manager Ahnalee Cristello.
“Amber and Allie have been critical parts of this team the last four years,” Ryden said in a press release. “They both came from [well-renowned] club programs to join our team down here in the desert. Shay has a story in itself, and she has earned her spot. She more than proved her point that she could come back. Ahnalee has poured her heart into this program. She is my right-hand woman and has done so much for us. This program is certainly a better one because of these four young women.”
Each senior received a frame of images from Arizona coaches with their individual families to cap off the emotional night, while Ryden gave a speech about each athlete. Laub played a tribute song to her senior teammates on the guitar to conclude the night.
The meet was the first without senior captain and leader Flores, who suffered a season-ending injury against Texas Women’s University.
In her first appearance in the all-around competition, Cindric finished with a 39.350. The mark was enough for Cindric to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.
The Wildcats now wait until Monday to find out where they will be placed in regional competition.
“It was a fun meet and a really exciting ending,” Ryden said in a press release after the Pac-12 tournament. “I’m looking forward to where we are placed for regionals. This team has overcome so many obstacles this season, and they have only come out stronger. I’m just so proud of them.”
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