Gymdogs Take Down Previously Undefeated Utah

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Gymdogs Take Down Previously Undefeated Utah

Sarah Persinger performs a tkachev on the uneven bars during an NCAA gymnastics meet between the University of Georgia and the University of Utah on Saturday, March 14, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
[su_spacer size=”20″] The tenth-ranked Georgia Gymdogs defeated No. 4 and previously undefeated Utah, 197.450-197.275, in their regular season finale and Senior Night in Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday evening.

 

After two rotations, the Utes (11-1) held a 98.875-98.750 lead, but the Gymdogs (5-6) tied or set four career highs in the final two rotations to clinch the victory. Georgia also recorded its highest score on any event this season with a 49.575 on bars in rout to its highest overall score of the season, a 197.450.

 

“Finally being able to put a meet together is a goal we have been trying to achieve all season,” Mary Beth Box said. “It has taken a long time to get here, but now we are going into the postseason with so much confidence.”

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Four seniors were honored at the conclusion of the meet: Chelsea Davis, Demetria Hunte, Whitney Kirby and Sarah Persinger.

 

Brandie Jay and Davis led Georgia on vault with a pair of 9.875s. Meanwhile, Utah opened with a strong performance on bars, scoring a 49.500. After one rotation, Georgia trailed 49.500-49.175.

 

The Gymdogs recorded their highest score on any event this season with a 49.575 on bars, highlighted by Kiera Brown’s 9.95, which tied her career high. Natalie Vaculik also set a new career mark with a 9.9. Jay posted a 9.875, while Davis and Brittany Rogers closed the rotation with a pair of 9.925s. Utah scored a 49.375 on vault and led 98.875-98.750 at the halfway point.

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Morgan Reynolds performs her routine on the balance beam during an NCAA gymnastics meet between the University of Georgia and the University of Utah on Saturday, March 14, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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Vaculik ignited Georgia’s comeback with her second career high of the night, a 9.9 on beam in the opening spot. Broussard added a 9.875 in the Gymdogs’ 49.2 performance on beam. Utah managed a 49.050 on floor in the third rotation, giving Georgia a 147.950-147.925 lead heading to floor.

 

Out of five routines on floor, four Gymdogs posted a 9.9 or higher to push Georgia to a 49.500 on floor. Morgan Reynolds tied her career high with a 9.9, and Kiera Brown followed with a career-best 9.875. For the second consecutive week, freshman Gigi Marino recorded the meet’s highest score on floor, a 9.925. Vivi Babalis and Mary Beth Box closed the meet with two 9.9s. The Red Rocks scored a 49.350 on beam in the final rotation.

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Sarah Persinger poses during an NCAA gymnastics meet between the University of Georgia and the University of Utah on Saturday, March 14, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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The Gymdogs will travel to Duluth, Georgia, for the 2015 SEC Championship next Saturday. The meet will be split into two sessions at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The seedings will be announced on Monday.

 

Team Results

1. Georgia – 197.450 (VT- 49.175, UB- 49.575, BB- 49.200, FX- 49.500)

2. Utah – 197.275 (VT- 49.375, UB- 49.500, BB- 49.350, FX- 49.050)

 

Vault

Natalie Vaculik – 9.800, Gigi Marino – 9.200, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.800, Chelsea Davis – 9.875, Brittany Rogers – 9.825, Brandie Jay – 9.875

 

Bars

Brandie Jay – 9.875, Natalie Vaculik – 9.900, Sarah Persinger – 9.750, Kiera Brown – 9.950, Chelsea Davis – 9.925, Brittany Rogers – 9.925

 

Beam

Natalie Vaculik – 9.900, Morgan Reynolds – 9.800, Vivi Babalis – 9.800, Brittany Rogers – 9.825, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.875, Mary Beth Box – 9.250

 

Floor

Sarah Persinger – 9.825, Morgan Reynolds – 9.900, Kiera Brown – 9.875, Gigi Marino – 9.925, Vivi Babalis – 9.900, Mary Beth Box – 9.900​

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