Michigan
Oregon State
U-M Cruises to Home-Opening Win over Oregon State
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Behind all-around champion Karina Senior (Markham, Ontario/Milliken Mills HS) and a season-best event score of 49.275 on the floor exercise, the third-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team scored a decisive 194.125-190.925 victory over No. 12 Oregon in front of 1,061 fans in the home opener tonight (Friday, Jan. 12) at Cliff Keen Arena. Senior, who was all-around champion with a mark of 39.125, had a score of 9.850 on the uneven bars to share top honors in that event with senior tri-captain Bridget Knaeble (New Hope, Minn./Totino-Grace HS).
Michigan jumped out to a 48.725-48.050 lead following the first rotation. The Wolverines began the meet on the vault and did not count a score lower than 9.625, while the Beavers opened up on the uneven bars. Senior All-American vaulter Christine Michaud (Mill Valley, Calif./The Branson School) anchored the Michigan vault lineup with a solid 9.825. Michaud's 9.825 was matched by fellow Wolverine Janessa Grieco (Mahopac, N.Y./Carmel HS), who like Michaud earned All-America distinction on the vault a year ago. Michaud and Grieco's 9.825 score placed them in a tie for runner-up on that event.
The Wolverines opened up their lead in the second rotation behind a 48.700 on the uneven bars, while Oregon State tabulated a 48.425 on the vault. Senior and Knaeble paced Michigan with scores of 9.850, which gave them the individual title on that event. The Maize and Blue held a 97.425-96.475 lead following the first two rotations.
Michigan moved on to the balance beam in the third rotation and, although the Wolverines struggled, they were able to extend their lead to 144.850-143.525 heading into the final rotation. The Maize and Blue was forced to count a pair of falls on the balance beam, but a 9.750 from junior Shannon MacKenzie (Midland, Mich./Midland HS) in the final routine of the rotation helped Michigan outscore Oregon State, which was on the floor exercise, 47.425-47.050 in the third rotation. Freshman Calli Ryals (Elyria, Ohio/Midview HS) also delivered a key 9.725 as leadoff on the beam in her first collegiate competition at Cliff Keen Arena.
With a big lead heading into the final rotation, the relaxed Wolverines delivered their best event score of the season, with a 49.275 on the floor exercise. Michigan's floor lineup was paced by Ryals, who won the event with a meet-best mark of 9.900 in addition to finishing runner-up in the all-around with a score of 39.000. The Wolverine floor exercise lineup did not count a score lower than 9.800. Oregon State, however, continued to struggle in the final rotation as the Beavers accumulated a mark of 47.400 on the balance beam. Knaeble and Grieco each came back strong from falls on the balance beam for the Wolverines to score 9.800 and 9.875, respectively, on the floor exercise. Michigan's domination in the final rotation helped put the finishing touches on a 194.125-190.925 victory.
The Wolverines remain at home next weekend with a meet vs. No. 18 Minnesota and No. 22 Iowa on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
N O T E S
Calli Ryals made her collegiate debut in the all-around (39.000).
Karina Senior's wins in the all-around and the uneven bars are her second and third individual titles this season. She shared the balance beam crown last Saturday (Jan. 6) at the Super Six Challenge with a mark of 9.850.
Michigan is now 3-3 this season vs. ranked opponents.
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Bev Plocki
On the meet in general ... "You are always working the kinks out in the first meet of the season, but I was pleased with our effort. I was especially happy to see how we bounced back in the final rotation on the floor exercise after struggling on the balance beam. I thought our kids did a nice job of staying focused and closing the meet out strong."
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
