Gym Devils shine in Pac-12 opener scoring season-high
- =Arizona State women's gymnastics (2-0) opened its first-ever Pac-12 Conference meet as force to be reckoned with. Coming off a bye week, the Sun Devils were well rested and prepared to take on the California Golden Bears who are coached by former ASU gymnast Danna Lister Durante. With outstanding performances by seniors Beate Jones on vault and Kahoku Palafox on bars the Sun Devils defeated the Golden Bears, 195.250 - 194.050.
The Sun Devils took on vault first, which they dominated with a season-high score of 48.875. Natelle Gentile started them off with a solid landing for a score of 9.725. Senior Callie Price followed Gentile by sticking her landing for a score of 9.800, just missing her career high at 9.850. Natasha Sundby kept the girls rolling with another score of 9.800, beating her career-high of 9.500. Senior Beate Jones really put the Sun Devils on the right track with her score of 9.875 after a dominating run.
Getting off to a great start, Jones was first up in bars where she helped keep the Sun Devil's momentum going with a score of 9.750. Freshman Gentile beat her career high of 9.650 when she stuck her landing for a score of 9.675. Kahoku Palafox, ranked 15th in the nation in the event, was red hot on the bars tying her score from last week at 9.850. Right behind Palafox was Stephanie Hangartner with another flawless performance and stuck landing for a score of 9.825, also tying her career high. As a team the Sun Devils bested their 16th-ranked score from the week before, finishing the event with a score of 48.900.
Jones was again the first to start the Gym Devils on beam and after sticking her landing, she scored a 9.800 for Arizona State. Freshman Brianna Gades beat her career high of 9.600 by sticking her landing for a score of 9.725. Madison Snowden really hit her routine spot on giving her a score of 9.825, which gave Arizona State a total score of 48.525 in the event.
Arizona State redeemed itself from the week before, finishing the night on floor with their best score of the night of 48.950. Samantha Seaman broke her career-high of 9.675 by scoring a 9.825 after a dynamic floor routine. Madison Snowden showed her strength through her routine, which scored her a 9.775 tying the senior with freshman Natasha Sundby. Beate Jones once again had a powerful performance as she scored a 9.875, sealing the victory for the Sun Devils 195.250-194.050.
Sealing the all-around title with her performance on floor, Jones took home the honor with a score of 39.300.
Next up, Arizona State hosts instate rival Arizona for the first of two State Farm Territorial Cup match-ups, Jan. 27, at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.