No. 19 Arizona gymnastics defeats Washington, sets new program record

Barbara Rivero

March 4, 2024

Caroline Herry performs on the balance beam in the gymnastics meet against Arizona State on Feb. 15 in McKale Center. Herry has had a career high of 9.900 on this event.

The No. 19 Arizona Gymnastics bounced back after a losing against Oregon State University last weekend by defeating the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., on Sunday, March 3. The GymCats also set a program-high score of 49.625 during their last rotation on beam, helping Arizona edge past Washington 196.675-196.550.

History:

During Arizona and Washington’s last meeting on Feb. 27, 2016, the Wildcats won 196.10-195.325. Following Sunday’s victory the GymCats moved to 9-1 all-time against the Huskies and extended their winning streak to five-games.

Uneven bars:

Starting its match on bars, Arizona posted a 49.025, while the Huskies outscored the Wildcats posting a score of 49.275. Alysen Fears led the GymCats with a score of 9.875. She was followed by freshman Sophie Derr who posted a 9.850 and Malia Hargrove and Abigayle Martin who both posted a 9.775. Finishing the rotation, Emily Mueller earned a 9.750, while Elena Deets scored a 9.650. Skylar Killough-Wilhel from the University of Washington scored the highest on the bars event with a score of 9.975.

Vault:

In their second rotation on vault, Arizona posted a 49.000. Fears once again scored the highest for the Wildcats with a score of 9.875. Hargrove followed up with a 9.850. Martin posted a 9.775, while Jessica Castles and Ainsley Greever both scored a 9.750. Emma Strom cleaned up the rotation with a 9.700. Lana Navarro scored the highest for the Huskies, posting a 9.875, helping Washington win the rotation with a score of 49.050.

Floor:

During the third rotation on floor, Arizona scored a 49.025, while the Huskies earned a 49.150. GymCats captain Deets scored a 9.875, followed by Strom with a 9.825. Caroline Herry and Mueller both earned a 9.800. Lastly, Fears scored a 9.725 and Martin posted a 9.700. Emily Innes from Washington posted the highest score in this event with a 9.900.

Beam:

Before their last rotation on beam, the GymCats were trailing Washington by 0.350 points. The Wildcats showcased their talents throughout earning a program record of 49.625 on beam, while the Huskies fell behind with a score of 49.075. Fears and Herry opened the rotation by posting 9.900. Fears set a career-high and Herry set a season-high, while matching her career-high. Mueller and Strom followed with career-highs of 9.925. Deets also earned a career-high with a near perfect 9.975 and Martin finished the rotation with a 9.600.