March 6, 2005
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford women's gymnastics team concluded a busy weekend, falling to No. 7 ranked Alabama in front of 1,501 fans at Maples Pavilion on Sunday, 197.100-194.975. Junior Natalie Foley was narrowly edged out of first place in the all-around by Alabama's Dana Pierce, and freshman Lauren Elmore posted a personal season-high in the all-around as the Cardinal fell to 3-7 on the season.
The Cardinal started the meet on vault, with freshman Stephanie Gentry tying a personal season-high with a 9.850 score to finish fourth. Freshman Alex Pintchouk registered a personal season-high with a 9.800 on vault, while Foley scored a 9.775 as the Cardinal recorded a team score of 48.575.
Coach Smyth's squad was solid on the uneven bars once again, scoring a 49.075 to finish just behind Alabama's team score of 49.275. Junior co-captain Jessica Louie, competing in just her second meet of the season, scored a 9.825 to tie with teammate Lauren Elmore for fifth place. Freshman Tabitha Yim captured third with a 9.875, while the Crimson Tide took the top two spots on bars, as former Olympian Terin Humphrey placed first with a 9.950.
Following two rotations, the Cardinal trailed by a 98.600-97.650 margin heading into the balance beam event. Freshman Tabitha Yim scored a 9.825 to finish in a three-way tie for second place on beam with Alabama's Pierce and Humphrey. Elmore continued her impressive afternoon, scoring a 9.800 on beam to help Stanford to a 48.275 score. Alabama's Mari Bayer finished in first place with a 9.875.
Stanford finished the meet on a strong note, recording the second highest team score of the season in the floor exercise with a 49.050 mark. Foley received a 9.875 score to place fourth, while Elmore matched a personal season-high of 9.825 to lead the Cardinal. Alabama claimed the top three spots on floor, as Alexis Brion and Ashley Miles tied for first place with 9.950 scores and Bayer finished second with a 9.900.
Pierce captured the all-around title, registering 39.250 score to edge Foley's 39.225. Elmore recorded a personal season-high in the all-around, notching a 39.050 to finish third. Alabama's Miles captured fourth with a 38.975 and Stanford's Pintchouk, competing in the all-around for just the fourth time this season, finishing fifth with a 38.575.
The Cardinal competed without junior All-American Glyn Sweets for the third straight meet and was also without freshman standout Liz Tricase, who was injured prior to the meet.
Sunday's meet marked the first time that Alabama has ever competed on The Farm. The two squads tied for third place at last season's NCAA Super Six.
Stanford takes next weekend off before concluding its regular season schedule with a tri-meet at San Jose State. Cal will also compete in the tri-meet, which will take place on March 19th.
Alabama - 197.100
Stanford - 194.975
Vault
1. Ashley Miles (Alabama)9.950
2. Alexis Brion (Alabama)9.900
3. Terin Humphrey (Alabama)9.875
Bars
1. Terin Humphrey (Alabama)9.950
2. Mari Bayer (Alabama)9.900
3. Tabitha Yim (Stanford)9.875
Beam
1. Mari Bayer (Alabama)9.875
2. Tabitha Yim (Stanford)9.825
Dana Pierce (Alabama)9.825
Terin Humphrey (Alabama) 9.825
Floor
1. Ashley Miles (Alabama)9.950
Alexis Brion (Alabama)9.950
3. Mari Bayer (Alabama)9.900
All-Around
1. Dana Pierce (Alabama)39.250
2. Natalie Foley (Stanford)39.225
3. Lauren Elmore (Stanford)39.050