Strong Start to the Week

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 13 Stanford started strong on vault and never looked back to earn a 195.750-194.325 victory Monday evening against Arizona State.

The Cardinal (8-4, 2-2 Pac-12) outscored the Sun Devils (1-6, 0-3 Pac-12) in three-of-four events to earn its 26th consecutive victory, dating back to 2004.

Stanford swept the individual event titles with five gymnasts combining for 10 top-three finishes.

It was an impressive showing considering the Cardinal took the opportunity to limit the difficulty of some routines and focus on consistency and building depth in lineups.

“It was a real team effort tonight,” said Stanford head coach Kristen Smyth. “We’re right on track of preparing to be one of the top teams at the end of the year. We’re looking to continue to get better each weekend.”

Highlights from Stanford's victory against Arizona State.

Elizabeth Price scored season bests vault (9.950) and floor (9.925) to earn individual victories in both events. She has scored 9.825 or higher in 17-of-19 performances this season and 9.900 or higher in 30-of-44 performances in her career. Price has registered 13 individual event victories in 23 possible events this season.

Nicolette McNair and Ivana Hong tied for the individual win on bars with scores of 9.850. McNair continues to be one of Stanford’s most consistent gymnasts, hitting all three of her events on the evening, adding a 9.825 on beam and season-best 9.825 on vault. She finished third in both of those events. McNair’s consistency has been important given that she is often in the leadoff position in multiple events.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else in that spot,” said Smyth. “Nikki is a natural leader and you know she’s going to be aggressive. It sets the tone for the rest of the team to not hold back and get after it.”

Hong continued to post individual event wins after winning beam in each of the past three weeks and picking up her first bars victory of the season.

Taylor Rice and Melissa Chuang tied for the individual victory on beam with scores of 9.850. Rice tied her season best in the event and added an individual victory in the all-around (39.075) and a third-place result on floor with a season-high 9.825.

Chuang is quickly establishing herself as one of the Cardinal’s most clutch gymnasts, performing big routines when Stanford needs them. Following a fall before her on beam, Chuang stepped up to deliver a meet-best performance and get Stanford back on track. She also contributed a 9.775 on floor.

“Melissa is a great competitor,” said Smyth. “She’s been outstanding in the gym this year in leading by example and she brings a lot to the table competitively.”

Danielle McNair performed the first beam routine of her career in the anchor position to earn a 9.700. She also contributed scores on vault (9.800) and bars (9.725). She has scored 9.700 or higher in all 10 performances this year.

Stanford freshmen Taryn Fitzgerald and Dare Maxwell have been representing their class and the Cardinal well and continued to contribute scores. Fitzgerald provided scores on vault (9.725), beam (9.725) and floor (9.700), while Maxwell produced a 9.725 on bars.

Jenna Frowein is a regular score on floor with her consistency and contributed a 9.675.

“What I love about this team is that we’re getting contributions from everyone,” said Smyth. “We’ve had some misses throughout the year but that next person up has stepped up big, given us a nice routine and gets us back on track. It means we’re tough.”

It is the first meet of the week for Stanford, which travels to Arizona this Saturday at 6 p.m. (PT). The Cardinal will see a familiar face on the Arizona side with Stanford alumna and former assistant coach Tabitha Yim leading the Wildcats. The meet will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.