April 6, 2013
NORMAN, Okla. - The Stanford women's gymnastics team tied its season-best team score on vault in the final rotation Saturday at the Norman (Okla.) Regional to finish second overall and earn a bid to the NCAA Championships.
Stanford finished with a team score of 196.800, behind top-seeded and regional champion Oklahoma which scored 197.375. The Cardinal finished ahead of Washington (195.925), Penn State (195.875), Southern Utah (194.850) and Iowa (194.475).
Stanford advances to the NCAA Championships for the sixth time in seven years.
Ivana Hong claimed regional titles on vault and beam, and Ashley Morgan earned a regional title on floor.
Entering the final rotation with just .125 of a point lead over Penn State, Stanford delivered a terrific vault performance, tying its season-high team score of 49.425 to secure its trip to the national championship tournament.
Hong delivered a season-best 9.950 on vault to claim the meet's highest score. Nicole Dayton and Taylor Rice tied for third, both scoring 9.900. Morgan contributed a 9.850 and Kristina Vaculik anchored the team with a 9.825.
"The regional meet is always extremely tough and I was so impressed with my team," head coach Kristen Smyth said.
Stanford opened the meet on bars where it was led by Vaculik who tied for eighth place, posting a 9.850. Ashley Morgan and Shona Morgan continued to provide stability for the Cardinal in the event, both earning scores of 9.800.
Ashley Morgan scored 9.800 or higher in all 11 meets this season, while Shona Morgan has produced a 9.800 in nine of 11 competitions.
Stanford continued its dominance on beam this season, earning its eighth individual victory on the season, as Hong tied for first with a 9.900. It was Hong's fourth first-place finish on beam this season. Shona Morgan finished third with a 9.875.
After Stanford suffered a missed routine, Kristina Vaculik delivered a crucial performance that scored a 9.825 and kept the Cardinal on track.
Smyth was happy with how Vaculik and her team responded in difficult moments throughout the competition.
"The team showed tremendous toughness and covered each other beautifully," Smyth said.
Stanford was led on floor by three-time Pac-12 floor champion, Ashley Morgan, who tallied a 9.900 to tie for first place. It was Morgan's fourth floor victory on the season.
"Ashley did what she's done all year and has been a rock for our team," Smyth said.
Rice and Shapiro tied their career-bests on floor to claim fourth-place finishes, contributing 9.875s.
Smyth emphasized she is proud of the work her gymnasts, coaching staff and training staff have put in this season to help prepare the team for the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Championships and pursue a national title.
Despite Stanford's accomplishments throughout the season, Smyth believes her team's potential is even higher, and hopes to see that potential realized at the national tournament.
"We are peaking at the right time," Smyth said. "We still haven't hit 24 routines and put it all together yet, so I believe we are definitely a major competitor."
Stanford will compete at the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles on April 19-21.