![Georgia gymnasts cheer on their teammate during the NCAA Athens Regional at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday, April 2, 2016, in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Emily Selby)](https://georgiabulldogs.smugmug.com/Gymnastics/2016/Meets/NCAA-Athens-Regional/i-2BzVg7X/0/L/160402_ems_NCAAGym1376-L.jpg)
The Gymdogs scored a 196.850 to place second at the NCAA Athens Regional Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum, which earned the ninth-ranked Georgia gymnastics team a spot in the 12-team NCAA Championships April 15-16 in Fort Worth, Texas.
LSU took first place in the regional, advancing to the championships behind its score of 197.300. Oregon State placed third with a 196.000, followed by Arizona (195.900), George Washington (195.550) and Michigan State (195.350).
In the all-around competition for Georgia, Brandie Jay and Brittany Rogers scored a 39.45 and 39.35, repectively. Jay was also named Regional Gymnast of the Year following today’s meet.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled to be headed back to the national championship,” Georgia head coach Danna Durante said. “We’re excited to have had regionals at home. I’m really pleased with how the team did, especially since we had to make a few line-up adjustments. So, I’m excited about that and excited about a little bit of rest in the next couple of days and then heading back to Fort Worth.”
Georgia began competition on beam with a score of 49.025. Ashlyn Broussard led the Gymdogs with a 9.9, as Mary Beth Box added a 9.875 and Rogers put up a 9.825.
The Gymdogs had a bye in the second rotation before continuing competition on floor. Gigi Marino and Jay put up a pair of 9.9s to help Georgia notch an overall score of 49.3 Both Morgan Reynolds and Box added a score of 9.85 on the event. Georgia trailed LSU at the halfway point with a 98.450-98.325. Oregon State was in third with a 97.9.
Georgia scored a 49.275 on vault led by Rogers’ 9.9, which tied her high score for the NCAA post-season. Broussard, who also tied her post-season high score, notched a 9.875. The Gymdogs had a total score of 147.6 going to the last rotation, the second best three-even score of any team. LSU held first place with a 147.9.
After a bye in the fifth rotation bye, Georgia finished competition on bars, where it was led by Jay’s 9.95. Rachel Schick added a 9.85, as the Gymdogs used a 49.250 in to solidify their NCAA Championship bid.
Georgia (12-13) will compete in a semifinal session of the NCAA Championships on April 15. This is the 32nd time the Gymdogs have qualified for the national championships. The top three teams in each semifinal session will advance to the NCAA Super Six on April 16.
Team Results
1. LSU – 197.300 (VT – 49.4, UB – 49.3, BB – 49.15, FX – 49.45)
2. Georgia – 196.850 (VT – 49.275, UB – 49.25, BB – 49.025, FX – 49.3)
3. Oregon State – 196.000 (VT – 48.9, UB – 48.975, BB – 49.125, FX – 49.0)
4. Arizona – 195.900 (VT – 48.775, UB -49.1 , BB — 49.0, FX – 49.025)
5. George Washington – 195.550 (VT – 48.075, UB – 48.825, BB – 48.725, FX – 48.925)
6. Michigan State – 194.350 (VT – 48.575, UB – 48.95, BB – 48.675, FX – 49.15)
Georgia’s Individual Results
Vault
Ashlyn Broussard – 9.875
Natalie Vaculik — 9.775
Gigi Marino – 9.825
Brittany Rogers — 9.9
Brandie Jay – 9.85
Lauren Johnson — 9.825
Bars
Natalie Vaculik – 9.825
Gracie Cherrey — 9.8
Rachel Schick – 9.85
Brandie Jay – 9.95
Brittany Rogers – 9.825
Lauren Johnson — 9.775
Beam
Brandie Jay – 9.75
Natalie Vaculik — 9.1
Brittany Rogers – 9.825
Vivi Babalis – 9.675
Ashlyn Broussard – 9.9
Mary Beth Box – 9.875
Floor
Morgan Reynolds – 9.85
Vivi Babalis – 9.275
Brittany Rogers — 9.8
Gigi Marino – 9.9
Mary Beth Box – 9.85
Brandie Jay – 9.9
BD_illustrated bulldawgbob2_BI GO GYMDOGS!!!