STANFORD, Calif. – On a night dedicated to the senior class, No. 10 Stanford gave its two seniors perhaps the best sendoff they could – with a victory over Bay Area rival No. 22 California.
The Cardinal (13-2, 5-2 Pac-12) won three of four events and four Cardinal gymnasts combined for eight individual victories to send seniors Amanda Spinner and Shona Morgan out with a win. Stanford has defeated California (7-6, 1-5 Pac-12) in 32 consecutive meets and holds a 41-1 record against the Golden Bears dating back to 1996.
Amid the team and individual accomplishments, Spinner delivered the highlight of the night with a performance that was meant to be appreciated and not scored.
After the final competitor performed, Spinner took the floor for the first time in her collegiate career and delivered a routine that brought both teams and coaches off their benches to cheer her on.
It was a special moment for the three-time team co-captain and emotional leader of the Cardinal.
WATCH: Amanda Spinner's final home routine on floor.
Kristina Vaculik, the reigning Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week, continued her outstanding season, claiming individual wins in four of five events including the all-around (39.550), bars (9.925), beam (9.875) and floor (9.900). Vaculik’s score on beam tied her collegiate best.
Nicolette McNair also had a great night, tying for the individual victory on vault with a 9.900, tying her collegiate best of 9.875 on bars to place second and earning a 9.850 on beam to tie for third. Her performance on beam was especially impressive because it came after a missed routine in the second position.
Melissa Chuang had a career night, posting collegiate highs of 9.900 on vault and floor to tie for the individual victories in both events.
The Cardinal outscored the Golden Bears on vault (49.425-49.100), bars (49.225-49.125) and floor (49.300-48.900).
Stanford opened the meet with a season-best team performance of 49.425 on vault. Each gymnast scored 9.825 or higher and three posted scores of 9.900. Chuang and Daum delivered back-to-back 9.900’s to begin the meet, and Nicolette McNair added a third score of the same number in the fourth position. Vaculik and Danielle McNair concluded the event with a 9.850 and 9.875, respectively.
The Cardinal continued its momentum on bars with Nicolette McNair leading off with a 9.875. Taylor Rice and Danielle McNair followed with scores of 9.825 and 9.850, respectively. Vaculik anchored the team with a 9.925.
Stanford faced a bit of adversity on beam. After Morgan went 9.775 in the leadoff position, the second Cardinal gymnast missed her routine. Nicolette McNair seemed to get the Cardinal back on track with a 9.850 in the third spot, but the fourth Stanford gymnast fell.
Vaculik and Spinner made sure the Cardinal finished strong in the event, posting scores of 9.875 and 9.850.
Stanford hit each of its six routines on floor to secure the victory. Morgan and Jenna Frowein went 9.775 and 9.750, respectively, to lead off the event. Rice delivered a 9.875 to finish fourth, followed by a 9.850 by Rachel Daum who finished tied for fourth.
Vaculik and Chuang anchored the floor lineup with a pair of 9.900’s.
The Cardinal will have a quick turnaround as the team heads to No. 4 Alabama on Friday for a dual meet.