NC State
NCAA Championships
Ouellette Sets School Record at Nationals
4/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 15, 2011
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Competing as an individual, NC State gymnast Stephanie Ouellette finished 28th overall with her 38.775 in the all-around at the NCAA Championships Friday, setting a school record for the best all-around score by a freshman at nationals.
Ouellette's 38.775 total marks the best by any NC State gymnast at nationals since Amy Langendorf's 38.8 in 1999, and represents the fourth-best all-around at nationals in the school's history. Counting only debut performances, Ouellette's ranks second all-time, trailing only Langendorf.
Two weeks ago, Ouellette became the first NC State freshman since Christi Newton in 1993 to advance to the national championships with her sixth place all-around finish at the NCAA Athens Regional, and did not disappoint on the nation's biggest stage, counting no falls under tremendous pressure.
"Overall I thought she did great, especially for a freshman," said NC State head coach Mark Stevenson. "She had a couple of minor mistakes that cost her a tenth here or there, but I was really impressed with the way she handled the pressure of being at the national championship for the first time."
Her best finish of the evening came on beam, where a 9.65 netted Ouellette a share of 28th place within her semifinal.
The Columbia, Md. native posted her best score of the meet on vault, where a 9.775 garnered a share of 33rd.
Additionally, Ouellette notched a 38th place finish on bars with her 9.7, and a 9.65 for 39th place on floor.
The NCAA Championships continue tomorrow with the Super Six competing at 4 p.m., and wrap up Sunday.
