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Arizona Wildcats Gymnastics Wins First Meet of the Season over MSU

By Peggy McClain

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The Arizona Wildcats Women’s Gymnastic team looked strong and confident under first-year coach Tabitha Yim, beating Michigan State in the season opener at McKale.

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It’s another season and another sport in the Conference of Champions. Arizona is one of many highly ranked Pac-12 teams that will be going head to head to try and bring home the conference championship.  The Wildcats finished last year ranked No. 17 and started out this year at No. 18.  Utah, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon State, and Cal are ranked ahead of the Wildcats for now, but if the opener is any indication, Arizona gymnasts have just begun their climb up the rankings.

Arizona took on Michigan State, a contender in the Big-10, who went to the post-season last year.  The Wildcats started strong, were steady in each rotation, and finished the final event with confidence to down the Spartans in front of a record-breaking, enthusiastic crowd in McKale Center.  The final was 195.7-193.775, with Arizona consistent in each event.

The night started on a good note with a strong vaulting performance.  Last year, this was Arizona’s most difficult event–they were No. 29 in the country.  This year they look smooth and confident.  Arizona’s freshmen, wearing the Red and Blue for the first time, showed no signs of first-year jitters.  In fact, freshman Lauryn Mattson scored the highest on vault at 9.825.

This year there is a rules change for the vault.  The start value of a common vault is 9.95, but it becomes a ten if the twist occurs before the gymnast is vertical.  Coach Tabitha Yim likes this rule change, saying it rewards difficulty.  Shelby Edwards, an Arizona senior from San Tan Valley, scored 9.8, and it looks as though she is over some injuries she suffered last year.

Lexi Mills was one of the leaders as the Wildcats performed on the uneven bars.  Her clean lines and smooth routine earned a 9.825.  Her teammate, Gabby Laub, won the event with a 9.9.  Laub will be a key player this season as she has competed in every event during her Wildcat career.

The Arizona Wildcats showed the meaning of the word “team” during the balance beam rotation.  Normally Lexi Mills is a strong beam performer, but she had some bobbles and never looked confident Friday on the beam.  No problem, the next four gymnasts nailed their performances so Mills’s score could be discarded.

Normally Lexi Mills is a strong beam performer, but she had some bobbles and never looked confident Friday on the beam.  No problem, the next four gymnasts nailed their performances so Mills’s score could be discarded.

Maddy Cindric considers the balance beam her favorite, especially during away meets so she can nail her routine during the last rotation.  She scored a 9.725.  Freshman Skyler Sheppard followed Cindric, smiling throughout her routine.  Mills knew Sheppard had her back with a 9.825 on the balance beam.  Coach Lim was an artistic gymnast at Stanford, and her coaching produced great results.

All the Wildcats had to do on the floor exercise was avoid disaster since they headed into the final rotation with a nice lead over Michigan State.  Lexi Mills recovered with a 9.75.  Local product Selynna Feliz-Tarrazas was awarded a 9.8 for her routine, and the Wildcats wrapped up the first meet with a victory.

Arizona Wildcats Gymnastics will return to McKale on January 23 against UCLA at 1 PM to open the Pac-12 season.  The meet will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, but if you’re in Tucson, come to campus for this exciting competition between two of the top gymnastics teams in the nation.

Next: Arizona Wildcats Basketball: Cat’s long road trip is finally over

In the meantime Arizona Gymnastics, Bear Down and stick it.

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