Ashlee Hinkle named Pac-10 Specialist of the Week

February 05, 2008

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Arizona State junior gymnast Ashlee Hinkle has been named Pac-10 Event Specialist of the Week for January 29 - February 4, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today. Hinkle, a Glendale, Ariz., native, had a career-night on Wednesday against Oregon State that helped lead the Sun Devils to their highest team score of the season, 196.150. The Sun Devil junior won vault and floor, posting career-highs on both. Her vault score of 9.9 was the highest score by a Sun Devil gymnast on any apparatus this season. With her event-winning score, Hinkle led the Sun Devils to their best team vault score (49.150) of 2008. The mark stands as the tenth-best team vault score in the nation this season.

Hinkle continued to excel throughout the meet. The three event specialist posted a career-best 9.875 on floor to tie for first. Her score is the highest Sun Devil floor mark of the season and once again contributed to an Arizona State season-best team score, 49.175. Hinkle also posted a season-high 9.875 on beam to place second and tie the Sun Devils' season record in the event.

This is Arizona State's first Pac-10 Specialist of the Week honor. Junior Nicole Harris had previously been named Pac-10 Gymnast of the Week for the week of Jan. 21. UCLA's Tasha Schwikert was this week's Pac-10 Gymnast of the Week.

ALSO NOMINATED:
Gymnast of the Week: Karin Wurm, ARIZ; Tiana Jean, ASU; Siobhan Luce, CAL; Mandi Rodriguez, OSU; Kristen Linton, WASH.
Event Specialist of the Week: Sarah Specht, ARIZ; Avery Gee, CAL; Yuki Lamb, OSU; Ariana Berlin, UCLA
2008 Pac-10 Gymnasts of the Week: Jan. 14 - Anna Li, UCLA; Jan. 21 - Nicole Harris, ASU; Jan. 28 - Jami Lanz, OSU; Feb. 4 - Tasha Schwikert, UCLA.
2008 Pac-10 Event Specialists of the Week: Jan. 14 - Carly Janiga, STAN; Jan. 21 - Marci Bernholtz, UCLA; Jan. 28 - Jordan Schwikert, UCLA; Feb. 4 - Ashlee Hinkle, ASU.