NC State
NCAA Regional Championships
Ouellette Advances, Pack Scores Highest Since 1999
4/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 2, 2011
RESULTS
ATHENS, GA. --- 26th-ranked NC State gymnastics posted a 194.750, the Pack’s highest score at an NCAA Regional since 1999, to finish fourth at Stegeman Coliseum on the campus of Georgia Saturday.
Stephanie Ouellette qualified for the NCAA Championship as an individual, scoring a 38.950 to garner a sixth place all-around finish and become NC State’s first freshman to advance out of a regional since Christi Newton in 1993.
Ouellette’s best routine of the afternoon came on floor, with a 9.825 to finish 10th overall. By qualifying for the NCAA Championship, Ouellette gives the Pack four consecutive years of individual qualifiers and becomes the eighth all-time to pull the feat.
“I thought we had an outstanding meet,” said NC State head coach Mark Stevenson. “We lost a little ground on landings, but overall I think we were scored fairly, we had a good regional, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Jess Panza narrowly missed on an opportunity to qualify, finishing 25-thousandths of a point short of her teammate. LSU’s Kaleigh Diskson took the first individual qualifying spot with her 39.075.
NC State’s 48.600 showing on beam was a marked improvement over a disappointing rotation at the EAGL Championship. Under pressure, all six gymnasts avoided a fall, and four finished inside the top-20. Hannah Fallanca led the way in seventh with her 9.8, while Panza’s 9.75 earned 11th, and Diahanna Ham and Ouellette’s 9.7s landed in 20th.
“This meet meant a lot,” said Stevenson, “Just showing that we’re a better team than our results at EAGL. We scored higher than we have in a long time on this stage, and I’m proud of the team for the effort they put forward.”
Rachel Fincham’s 9.825 on bars was enough for a share of tenth place overall to lead the Pack. Kristen Harabedian and Alex Williams also rose to the challenge on the event, securing shares of 16th and 19th, respectively.
Brooke Barr represented the Pack’s top finisher on vault with a 9.775 to climb into the top-20 overall.
UCLA won the team competition, scoring a 197.425. Georgia finished second to advance to the NCAA Championship, April 15-17 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Players Mentioned
