Spring Break
Gymnastics team sticks a successful start to 2008
Cody Haueter
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports
The SJSU women's gymnastics team is off to an impressive start after its first two competitions of the 2008 season.
The team took first place with a score of 192.350 at a four-event meet Friday, Jan. 18, at UC Davis, facing off against Seattle Pacific University, Springfield College and host UC Davis.
"The team did really well on all four events," said head coach Wayne Wright. "We have a very strong vault team that's led by sisters Raylyn and Shina Cardeno."
Some members of the team said they were really optimistic about the season after sweeping the four events at the UC Davis meet.
"Our team did amazing this weekend up in Davis," said Tiffany Louie, a sophomore majoring in health science. "We hit 22 routines out of 24. We did what we were capable of doing, and it really showed in our routines."
Prior to the win at UC Davis, the team opened its season with a victory over Cal State Fullerton. The score was 191.050 to 189.825.
Junior Alise Blackwell won both the bar and floor exercises with a 9.800 and 9.850, respectively, paving the way to a first place all-around finish.
After the meet, Blackwell was named Western Athletic Conference Gymnast of the Week for her high-scoring performances.
"I was really happy for Alise to earn that award," Wright said. "She works hard, and she is a very good athlete and one of the leaders of the team."
Wright said the team's ultimate goal this season is to be one of the top-three teams at the WAC Championships. He would also like to see the team make it to the NCAA Regional Championships.
Wright said the team needs to focus on the little things.
"We need to work on focusing more on the little mistakes, like extra steps and form," said Lily Swann, an undeclared freshman. "One of our greatest strengths is that we have such a strong team, so we can interchange gymnasts a lot. This gives everyone a break from all the stress that gymnastics takes on our bodies, which leaves us healthier for when it's our turn to compete."
Wright said the team has 14 returning members and five newcomers, a large team compared with most gymnastics teams.
"We have so many strengths this year," said Greta Leach, a senior majoring in business management. "Our team is very experienced. We have so much depth this year that we have not experienced in the past."
For some of the gymnasts, the competition at UC Davis was a high point in their SJSU career.
Louie posted a career-best 9.750 for her floor routine, a mark that earned her first in that exercise.
"The highlight of my gymnastics career at SJSU was Friday night," Louie said. "I have never competed a full-twisting double-back (flip) on floor before. On top of that to even win floor with doing that new skill."
The team currently is 4-0 and is set to take on Cal State Sacramento in Sacramento on Friday at 7 p.m.
The team took first place with a score of 192.350 at a four-event meet Friday, Jan. 18, at UC Davis, facing off against Seattle Pacific University, Springfield College and host UC Davis.
"The team did really well on all four events," said head coach Wayne Wright. "We have a very strong vault team that's led by sisters Raylyn and Shina Cardeno."
Some members of the team said they were really optimistic about the season after sweeping the four events at the UC Davis meet.
"Our team did amazing this weekend up in Davis," said Tiffany Louie, a sophomore majoring in health science. "We hit 22 routines out of 24. We did what we were capable of doing, and it really showed in our routines."
Prior to the win at UC Davis, the team opened its season with a victory over Cal State Fullerton. The score was 191.050 to 189.825.
Junior Alise Blackwell won both the bar and floor exercises with a 9.800 and 9.850, respectively, paving the way to a first place all-around finish.
After the meet, Blackwell was named Western Athletic Conference Gymnast of the Week for her high-scoring performances.
"I was really happy for Alise to earn that award," Wright said. "She works hard, and she is a very good athlete and one of the leaders of the team."
Wright said the team's ultimate goal this season is to be one of the top-three teams at the WAC Championships. He would also like to see the team make it to the NCAA Regional Championships.
Wright said the team needs to focus on the little things.
"We need to work on focusing more on the little mistakes, like extra steps and form," said Lily Swann, an undeclared freshman. "One of our greatest strengths is that we have such a strong team, so we can interchange gymnasts a lot. This gives everyone a break from all the stress that gymnastics takes on our bodies, which leaves us healthier for when it's our turn to compete."
Wright said the team has 14 returning members and five newcomers, a large team compared with most gymnastics teams.
"We have so many strengths this year," said Greta Leach, a senior majoring in business management. "Our team is very experienced. We have so much depth this year that we have not experienced in the past."
For some of the gymnasts, the competition at UC Davis was a high point in their SJSU career.
Louie posted a career-best 9.750 for her floor routine, a mark that earned her first in that exercise.
"The highlight of my gymnastics career at SJSU was Friday night," Louie said. "I have never competed a full-twisting double-back (flip) on floor before. On top of that to even win floor with doing that new skill."
The team currently is 4-0 and is set to take on Cal State Sacramento in Sacramento on Friday at 7 p.m.
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