Brandie Jay performs on balance beam in exhibition during an NCAA gymnastics meet between Stanford University and the University of Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Emily Selby)
[su_spacer size=”40″] Jay paced the Gymdogs in two separate rotations, including a 9.85 on beam in her first ever meet action in that event. She also claimed a 9.9 on the floor, a 9.875 on the vault, and a 9.85 on the bars.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “It’s crazy that I’m a senior and I’m just now doing all-around,” said Jay. “It was my first time on beam, it took me such a long time to get there. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was an awesome experience and I’m glad I got to do it.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia held a lead of .95 heading into the final rotation, but three falls on the beam ultimately led to No. 15 Missouri’s (3-1, 1-1) come-from-behind victory. The visitors won the other three events.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “I support them, believe in them, care about them,” said Georgia head coach Danna Durante about her team. “I love them regardless of how it ended. We’re going to figure (beam) out. There is no way that that’s going to break us.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia claimed an early lead, paced by a season high from Natalie Vaculik to open the match with a 9.875 on bars. The Gymdogs also closed strong, registering back-to-back 9.85s from Jay and Brittany Rogers. The visitors led 49.175-48.775 after the teams’ first events.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The lead grew in the second rotation, with Georgia scoring an impressive 49.275 on the vault. The Gymdogs claimed three separate 9.875s in the event, coming from Sydney Snead to match a career high as well as from Rogers and Jay. Overall, the Gymdogs led 98.450-97.8 at the halfway point.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia pushed its advantage to .95 points after the third rotation with a sound performance on the floor, adding 49.225 to its score. Gigi Marino had a strong showing with a 9.875, but Jay and Mary Beth Box both posted 9.9s on the floor to pace the Gymdogs as they took a commanding 147.675-146.725 lead into the final rotation.
[su_spacer size=”40″] A rough go on beam, Georgia suffered three falls in the final event. The Gymdogs got strong scores from seniors Jay and Mary Beth Box, who posted a 9.85 and a 9.875, respectively. Those scores weren’t enough to overcome Missouri’s performance on the floor, and Georgia ultimately fell in the SEC clash.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Gymdogs will head to Lexington, Ky. next Friday to take on the 21st-ranked Kentucky Wildcats at 7 p.m.
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