Michigan
Utah
Michigan Scores 197.350 in Exciting Battle With No. 5 Utah
3/2/2019 6:56:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
» Michigan posted better than 197.000 for the fourth straight meet.
» Olivia Karas tied for wins on bars and beam.
» Wolverines recorded seven individual career highs.
Site: Salt Lake City, Utah (John M. Huntsman Center)
Score: #5 Utah 197.975, #9 Michigan 197.350
Records: U-M (13-3), Utah (8-1)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 9 -- vs. Oklahoma (Crisler Center), noon
• Complete Results (PDF)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team scored higher than 197.000 for the fourth straight meet in an 197.975-197.350 setback against No. 5 Utah on Saturday (March 2) at the John M. Huntsman Center.
Both teams dazzled the crowd on Utah's Senior Day. In all, there were 22 routines that scored 9.900 or higher -- nine by the Wolverines.
The 2019 season has been a season of growth for the Wolverines with scores continuing to improve at the team and individual levels. On Saturday, Michigan had a season-high score on floor as well as seven individual scores that matched or set new career highs.
Floor exercise was the top rotation of the meet for U-M. The Wolverines scored a 49.425 to top their previous best of 49.375 set against Iowa. Senior Olivia Karas shined again with a 9.925, the fifth time in the last six meets she has scored at least a 9.900.
Junior Maddy Osman and freshman Natalie Wojcik finished right behind her with a 9.900. For Osman it was a career high, surpassing her previous best of 9.825 from the Iowa meet (Feb. 10). Wojcik tied her career best with her fourth 9.900 of the season. Freshman Abby Brenner also tied a personal best with a 9.875 for the third time this year.
Beam was not Michigan's highest rotation score, but three gymnasts scored a 9.925 to tie for the win. Sophomore Lauren Farley and Karas each tied their career best for their second career wins on that apparatus. Wojcik also scored a 9.925 to win the event for the eighth time in nine meets this season.
The Wolverines began the meet with a 49.200 on the uneven bars. Karas led the way with a 9.925 to tie for the victory, her third time hitting 9.900 or better in the last four meets on bars.
Michigan got off to a great start on vault as freshman Maddie Mariani recorded her first career 9.900 in the event. Sophomore Anne Maxim followed up with a career high of her own, scoring 9.825. Later in the rotation, senior Emma McLean tallied her 12th career 9.900 or better on vault, matching a season high.
Michigan will return home for its final regular-season home meet next Saturday (March 9) when it honors seniors Emma McLean and Olivia Karas at Crisler Center in another top-10 matchup against No. 1-ranked Oklahoma at noon. [ Tickets ]
Players Mentioned
