The sixth-ranked Georgia Gymdogs took third place in the first session of the NCAA semifinals with a 196.725 on Friday afternoon at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
By finishing in the top three, the Gymdogs advance to the Super Six, which starts on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET. Joining the Gymdogs in advancing from the first session were the second-ranked LSU Tigers and No. 4 Florida Gators. Seventh-ranked Auburn, 10th-ranked Stanford and 12th-ranked Minnesota were eliminated.
“I’m so incredibly proud of this team,” said Georgia head coach Danna Durante. “No question we’ve had an up and down season. I think a lot of people counted us out long ago, but that just speaks to what this team is really about. They’re tough, they’re resilient and they’re incredibly tight-knit. We had no doubt, and it was absolutely a blast to watch them start on beam and build momentum from there.”
The Gymdogs got off to a strong start, holding a lead through the first rotation after posting a 49.1125 on beam. Georgia was led in the rotation by Mary Beth Box, who claimed a 9.8625. Ashlyn Broussard, who performed immediately before Box, also displayed an impressive routine with a 9.85.
After a bye, Georgia competed on floor and received a 48.9625 as a team. The Gymdogs were led by Box, who was able to persevere despite a technical issue as the music went out during her performance en route to a 9.875. Georgia found itself in a tie for third at the end of the rotation.
Brandie Jay stole the show in the third rotation for Georgia, tying her career postseason best of 9.95 on vault for a performance that one judge gave her a perfect 10. As a team, the Gymdogs claimed a 49.275 to build a significant lead over Stanford, Auburn and Minnesota as they braced for their final event.
Brittany Rogers took the best score of the first semifinal with a 9.95 in the final rotation on bars. Her score led the Gymdogs to a team mark of 49.375, their second-best score on bars of the season. Georgia was able to advance comfortably in the top three, using a margin of over a full point to move on at nationals.
For all the latest on Georgia gymnastics, follow the team on Twitter (@UGAGymnastics), Instagram (@ugagymnastics) and on Facebook (Georgia Gymdogs), and keep checking in to georgiadogs.com.
Final Standings
- Florida – 197.475 (VT – 49.350, UB – 49.475, BB – 49.350, FX – 49.300)
- LSU – 197.3375 (VT – 49.3375, UB – 49.325, BB – 49.300, FX – 49.375)
- Georgia – 196.725 (VT – 49.275, UB – 49.375, BB – 49.1125, FX – 48.9625)
- Stanford- 195.575 (VT – 49.150, UB – 49.025, BB – 48.475, FX – 48.925)
- Auburn – 195.100 (VT – 48.9625, UB – 49.0875, BB – 48.150, FX – 48.900)
- Minnesota – 194.9875 (VT – 49.0375, UB – 47.6625, BB – 49.250, FX – 49.0375)
Results
Vault
Ashlyn Broussard – 9.8125
Gigi Marino – 9.7375
Sydney Snead – 9.8
Brittany Rogers – 9.9
Brandie Jay – 9.95
Lauren Johnson – 9.8125
Bars
Sydney Snead – 9.8
Gracie Cherrey – 9.8375
Natalie Vaculik – 9.8375
Rachel Schick – 9.875
Brandie Jay – 9.875
Brittany Rogers – 9.95
Beam
Brandie Jay – 9.7625
Vivi Babalis – 9.7625
Brittany Rogers – 9.8
Ashlyn Broussard – 9.85
Mary Beth Box – 9.8625
Rachel Schick – 9.8375
Floor
Morgan Reynolds – 9.7875
Vivi Babalis – 9.8125
Brittany Rogers – 9.7625
Gigi Marino – 9.725
Mary Beth Box – 9.875
Brandie Jay – 9.7125
All-Around
Brandie Jay -39.300
Brittany Rogers – 39.4125