North Carolina State University Athletics
Gymnastics Ties for Fourth at NCAA Regional Championships
4/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Raleigh, N.C. – After counting a fall on its first rotation of the night, the No. 22 NC State gymnastics team recovered on the three other events and finished in a tie for fourth with a team score of 193.950 at the 2007 NCAA Regional Championships held at West Virginia Saturday night. The Wolfpack (20-12) posted its top finish at the regional meet since a third place showing in 1999, but its season ended as only the top two teams advance to the NCAA Championship.
The two teams advancing from the meet are No. 8 UCLA which placed first with a team score of 195.975, and No. 5 LSU with a score of 195.950. Host and No. 25 West Virginia was third (194.775), No. 17 Auburn tied the Pack with a 193.950 for fourth, and North Carolina was sixth (193.875).
NC State started the meet on beam, and with counting a fall, the Pack had its lowest team score of the season at 47.525. Junior Leigha Hancock recorded the Pack’s top score, as she notched a 9.775 and placed fifth. Classmate Heather Zolton had a 9.625, while senior Amanda Jones had a 9.6.
The Pack recovered after beam, and had at least a 48.725 on all the other events, starting with that score on floor. Freshman Taylor Seaman led the way for the Pack with a seventh place finish with a score of 9.8. Hancock and sophomore Ashley Shepard each scored a 9.75 and were tied for 13th. Senior Rachel Katz finished with a 9.725, while Zolton’s 9.7 rounded out the scoring.
Over on vault, the Pack came away with its highest team score of the evening, a 48.900. Hancock once again led NC State, as her score of 9.85 put her in 13th place. Katz scored a 9.8 in her final meet, and junior Kelsey Lee posted a 9.775. Also counting scores for the Pack, Shepard had a 9.75, while Seaman notched a 9.725.
NC State would conclude the night on bars with a 48.800, including a pair of top-10 finishes. Both Jones and Seaman tied for seventh place with matching scores of 9.8. Lee and Zolton were not far behind as each had a 9.75. Katz was the final scorer, with her 9.7.
Hancock competed in the all-around for the second time this season, and just missed advancing as an individual to the NCAA Championships, as the top two all-arounders not on the qualifying teams do so. Hancock tied for eighth with a 39.025, her second score over 39.000 in as many opportunities. Seaman scored a 38.825, while Zolton had a 38.700.
Team Totals: 1) UCLA, 195.975; 2) LSU, 195.950; 3) West Virginia, 194.775; t-4) NC State, 193.950; t-4) Auburn, 193.950; 6) North Carolina, 193.875.
NCSU on Vault: t-13) Hancock, 9.85; t-23) Katz, 9.8; 31) Lee, 9.775; t-32) Shepard, 9.75; t-35) Seaman, 9.725; 40) Zolton, 9.625.
NCSU on Bars: t-7) Jones, 9.8; t-7) Seaman, 9.8; t-14) Lee, 9.75; t-14) Zolton, 9.75; t-24) Katz, 9.7; t-28) Hancock, 9.65.
NCSU on Beam: t-5) Hancock, 9.775; t-15) Zolton, 9.625; t-19) Jones, 9.6; 27) Seaman, 9.5; 36) Ozburn, 9.025; 38) Lee, 8.975.
NCSU on Floor: t-7) Seaman, 9.8; t-13) Shepard, 9.75; t-13) Hancock, 9.75; t-20) Katz, 9.725; t-23) Zolton, 9.7; 34) Lee, 9.6.
NCSU in the All-Around: t-8) Hancock, 39.025; 11) Seaman, 38.825; 13) Zolton, 38.700; 17) Lee, 38.100.
