MPSF Gymnasts Headed to NCAA Regionals
March 25, 2014
SACRAMENTO STATE made the most of its return to the MPSF Championships. Backed by several outstanding individual performances, the Hornets were crowned champions with a total of 195.650. That total ranks second for an MPSF Championship meet, and is the highest since San Jose State's title in 2004. Hornet junior Kalliah McCartney recorded a 9.95 vault, a school and all-time record for the conference. Also on vault, Kailey Hansen scored a career-high tying 9.875 and Jesse Williams a career-high 9.85. Williams, the MPSF Newcomer of the Year, went on for a first-place all-around of 39.250. Sacramento State's vault squad totaled 49.050, tying a championship record and tying for fifth all-time. Elideth Guerrero went 9.90 on beam, matching former UC Davis star Erika Van Dyke's effort from 2010 for the MPSF Championship record. Hansen, Dallas Smith, Julia Konner, Kayla Wonderly, and Kaila Kilwein will compete as event specialists in the Seattle, WA NCAA Regional on April 5. Randy Solorio is the 2014 MPSF Assistant Coach of the Year.
UC DAVIS With a regional-qualifying score of 195.260, good for 34th nationally, UCD has advanced to an NCAA Regional Championship in Fayetteville, AR. This is the first time since 1998 that the Aggies have qualified for the NCAA postseason as a team, and the first time they have ranked amongst the nation's top-36. The Aggies were runners-up as they hosted the MPSF Championship, with Kala de Francesco winning the only non-Sacramento State title, posting a 9.825 on bars. She added a 9.85 floor as well as a 9.875 vault to share second in each. Dani Judal also posted a pair of second-place routines, going 9.825 on beam and 9.80 on bars.
SAN JOSE STATE recorded a bronze finish in its return to the MPSF Championships, accumulating 194.550. MPSF Gymnast of the Year Julia Greer tied for second on floor (9.85), and tied for fourth on beam (9.80). For the seventh time in program history, the Spartans will compete in the NCAA Regionals. They have been placed in the Minneapolis Regional on April 5 at 6 pm (CT).
SEATTLE PACIFIC has advanced to the USA Gymnastics Championships for the 32nd time in the last 33 years, April 11-13 in Providence, RI, hosted by Brown University. The Falcons, who received the four-seed in the eight-team field, are coming off a fourth-place team finish at the MPSF Championships last Saturday. They surpassed 194 points for the second time in school history (194.075). Sophomore Maria Hundley tied for second on vault with a school-record 9.875. She enters the USAG Championships as the nation's No. 2 ranked vaulter.
AIR FORCE Senior Linnaea Hance will represent the Academy in the all-around for the third straight year at the NCAA Regionals, while Katie Hawthorne and Shannen Kelly will serve as individual event specialists on the uneven bars and balance beam, respectively. The trio of Falcons are headed to the Minneapolis Regional. Air Force as a team put together 193.650 at the MPSF Championship. Doug Day has been named MPSF Coach of the Year for the third time.
ALASKA-ANCHORAGE posted a season-high 192.200 at the MPSF Championship. Stefany Bryan became the 13th UAA Gymnast to qualify for an NCAA Regional bid. She will compete in the all-around in her hometown of Seattle, WA, rotating with Boise State.