Michigan
North Carolina State
Wolverines Match Season High in Fifth Consecutive Victory
2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 17, 2017
» Sophomore Emma McLean scored a 9.975 on her first career Yurchenko 1 1/2.
» U-M scored 9.900 or better on five routines.
• Complete Results | Photo Gallery 
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #8 Michigan 197.225, #34 N.C. State 193.225
Records: U-M (7-2), NCSU (6-8)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 26 -- vs. Southern Utah (Crisler Center), 1 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 8 University of Michigan women's gymnastics team matched a season-high score of 197.225 in a big win over North Carolina State (193.225) on Friday night (Feb. 17) at Crisler Center.
Two big debuts highlighted a fun night in Crisler Center for the Wolverines.
Sophomore Emma McLean upgraded her vault to a Yurchenko 1 1/2 and debuted it during the meet. She made quite an impression, blowing her previous career high out of the water. She got big air and stuck the landing for a huge 9.975 to win the event.
"When I landed I didn't know what to do," said McLean. "I was like 'Wait, I just stuck it.' I wanted to salute or something and probably should have celebrated, but I didn't know what to do. It was awesome."
First time competing a Yurchenko 1 1/2 and this happens!!!! #GoEmma #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/zZEEs7QRTT
-- Michigan Gymnastics (@UMichWGym) February 18, 2017
McLean drew a big applause from her teammates in touch warmups when she stuck the same vault. The time was right to make the jump to the 10.0 start value, and she was near perfect.
Junior Lauren Marinez made her collegiate debut on floor exercise. She had done exhibitions in previous meets, but her time came against N.C. State. She was second up in the rotation and put up a 9.800. It was a great way to close out her day that also included a 9.900 on balance beam.
"I couldn't have done it without the support of my teammates," said Marinez. "It was good to get out there because I have been working so hard."
For all the Wolverines it was great to be at home in Crisler. It was Maize and Bluau night with a Hawaiian theme that had maize and blue leis. It was also short person appreciation night with people 5-foot-2 or shorter receiving free popcorn and a ticket to the Oklahoma meet. The fans were into the meet from the start.
The enthusiasm helped Michigan score 9.900 or better on five routines. After the big vault by McLean, junior Paige Zaziski won uneven bars with a terrific routine that scored a 9.950. It was her third 9.925 or better on bars this year. Following the 9.900 by Marinez on beam was senior captain Talia Chiarelli, who edged out Marinez for the title with a brilliant 9.925 to match a season best.
McLean closed out her brilliant night by winning floor with a 9.900. It was her second career win on floor and fourth time in the last five meets she has scored 9.900 or better on floor.
"Competing in Crisler is electric," said McLean. "The fans give us a lot of energy. It makes it a lot easier to hit our routines."
Michigan will try to make it six in a row and stay undefeated at home next weekend when it hosts Southern Utah at Crisler Center on Sunday (Feb. 26) at 1 p.m.
Communications Contact: Ben Blevins
Players Mentioned
