GymDawgs Set Program Record At Pac-12 Championships
March 19, 2017 | Gymnastics
STANFORD, Calif. – The GymDawgs set a new program scoring record at the Pac-12 Championships, posting a 197.100 to tie for third place Saturday night at Maples Pavilion.
"A big goal of ours this season was to earn a spot in the evening session of PAC 12's," said head coach Elise Ray. "Once we did that, we shifted our focus to making a statement in the evening session, to really compete against the big teams. These incredible young women were determined and confident, plus they had a lot of fun. That's an excellent combination for this team."
The Huskies' third place finish marks the sixth time the GymDawgs have finished third at the Pac-12 Championships, which they did most recently in 2011. Washington's 49.300 on vault was a new season-high and their 49.425 on beam tied a season-high.
Senior Kaitlyn Duranczyk tied for second place on bars with a 9.9 and Hailey Burleson placed third in the all-around with a 49.475. Joslyn Goings set a new career-high in the all-around with a 39.425.
"This team holds themselves to a new standard," added Ray. "I see it in the gym and I see it outside of the gym. They expect more out of themselves; they strive for a higher quality. That personal elevation is tough and it takes constant intention, but they're committed to it. That commitment is why they're reaching their goals."
Following the meet, head coach Elise Ray was named the Pac-12 Gymnastics coach of the year. This season, Ray has led the GymDawgs to two scores of 197+, something that has not been done since 2003. The GymDawgs finish the season ranked at No. 13 in the nation with an RQS of 196.735.
"I am incredibly humbled and honored, especially since the award was voted on by the other conference coaches," said Ray. "I'm in impressive company coaching in the PAC 12. It takes a village to run and lead a program, so this award is without a doubt shared with my entire staff. I couldn't do it without them."
Utah won the Pac-12 Championships with a 197.975, Oregon State placed second with a 197.400 and UCLA tied for third with a 197.100. Stanford won the first session and finished in fifth with a 196.625, California placed sixth with a 196.300, Arizona finished seventh with a 196.275, and Arizona State had a season high 195.600 to finish in eighth.
Event Recaps (In Order of Competition)
Beam, 49.425 – All six GymDawgs scored a 9.85 or higher on beam to tie a season-high 49.425. Goings tied a personal best 9.925 on beam, and both Yacalis and Burleson scored 9.9s. Malory Rose, Zoey Schaefer, and Michaela Nelson each had 9.85s.
9.925 for Joslyn Goings! #StickHuskies
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) March 19, 2017
Watch on @Pac12Network https://t.co/zS2NsMaZQr
Floor, 49.275 – The Huskies kept the momentum going on floor with each competitor scoring a 9.8+. Yacalis led the GymDawgs on floor with a 9.9. Burleson, Goings, and Maya Washington all put up 9.85s while Duranczyk scored a 9.8.
Alex Yacalis keeps the GymDawgs rolling with a 9.9 on floor!
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) March 19, 2017
Watch on @Pac12Network https://t.co/PwbjrKe1IG
Vault, 49.300 – The GymDawgs scored a season-high on vault led by Burleson's career-high tying 9.925. Alex Yacalis scored a 9.9, making it the second meet in a row with a 9.9+ on vault. Goings set a new personal best 9.9 and freshman Haley Roy put up a 9.825.
9.925! Hailey Burleson ties her career-high on vault to finish off the rotation.
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) March 19, 2017
Watch on @Pac12Network https://t.co/c6sXiJeai6
Bars, 49.100 – In her last time competing at the Pac-12 Championships, Duranczyk hit a team-high 9.9 on bars. Freshmen Madison Copiak and Maya Washington posted solid 9.825s, while Hailey Burleson scored a 9.8.
9.9!! Kaitlyn Duranczyk gets a #StickHuskies on her last #Pac12Gym Championship bars routine
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) March 19, 2017
Watch on @Pac12Network https://t.co/mnXFcX9ELS
All-Around – Burleson took third place in the all-around with a 39.475. She recorded a 9.8 or above on all four events and set a new career-high on vault. Goings set a new personal best in the AA with a 39.425. Her 9.9 on vault was a career-high and her 9.925 on beam tied her personal best.
Up Next
They GymDawgs will host the NCAA Regional Championships in two weeks on April 1st at 4:00 p.m. PT.
