SALT LAKE CITY – Stanford hit 23-of-24 routines and recorded its second-highest score of the season Saturday to place third at the Pac-12 Championships at the Huntsman Center.
There were multiple individual highlight performances by the Cardinal (10-9-1, 8-7 Pac-12) to accompany a consistent team performance, as the team produced a 197.175 – the exact same score Stanford produced at last year’s Pac-12 Championships. The Cardinal has placed fourth or higher at the championships in 15 consecutive years.
“We performed really well on floor to start and were truly amazing on bars,” said Stanford head coach Kristen Smyth. “We still have room to add upgrades and improve, and it’s exciting knowing there’s still more in store for us.”
The Cardinal thrived on bars, tying its season-high score of 49.525 with four gymnasts finishing in the top five and all six competitors placing in the top 12. Stanford gymnasts scored 9.875 or higher in all six performances.
Among the individual highlights was freshman Elizabeth Price who tied for the Pac-12 title on bars with a 9.950 and tied for third on vault with a 9.950.
“She’s been great all year,” said Smyth. “When she’s in the lineup, she’s a ‘wow’ factor and a real difference maker.”
Price also received the Pac-12 Specialist of the Year award, given to the conference’s top non-all-around gymnast as voted on by the head coaches at each school. Price registered 11 victories in 14 performances and scored 9.925 in 12-of-14 routines during 2015.
Utah claimed its second consecutive Pac-12 title with a 198.150, followed by UCLA with a 197.350. Oregon State placed fourth with a 196.900, followed by Arizona (196.225), California (196.150), Washington (196.000) and Arizona State (192.700).
Watch highlights from Stanford's top-scoring performances.
Ivana Hong had an outstanding meet, tying for second on beam with a 9.925 to tie her career best, and tying for 12th on bars with a 9.875. Her performance on beam was especially crucial since it came in the anchor position after one Stanford gymnast had already fallen. Hong’s score moved Stanford from fourth place behind Oregon State into third.
Kristina Vaculik competed in the all-around for the second time this season and placed fourth overall with a season-best 39.450. She thrived on bars and floor where she earned scores of 9.900, tying for fifth and eighth, respectively. Vaculik also contributed strong showings on beam (9.850) and vault (9.800).
“Kristina was spectacular tonight and is hitting her stride after everything she’s been through this year,” said Smyth of her senior who missed the first four meets of the year due to illness. “I’m excited about her leadership and her potential as she continues to get stronger.”
Nicolette McNair earned a pair of top-10 finishes, tying for fifth on bars with a 9.900 and tying for seventh on vault with a 9.875.
Samantha Shapiro played an important role in Stanford’s 49.525 showing on bars, scoring 9.900 to tie for fifth.
Pauline Hanset was steady all night, contributing a 9.825 on floor and a 9.850 in the leadoff position on vault. Perhaps her most important routine came on beam when she hit her routine to earn a 9.750 after the gymnast before her fell.
Stanford will have a week without competition to prepare for NCAA Regionals. Locations and matchups for the NCAA Regionals will be announced during the coming week.