Strong Finish at NCAAs

Update: Final results and notes from the NCAA Championships have been added to the top of this article. A recap and highlights of Stanford’s performance from Session I of the national championships is below. 

• Stanford finished 10th overall in the team standings.
• Elizabeth Price finished fourth overall in the all-around, ninth on vault, fourth on bars and 12th on beam.
• Ivana Hong tied for 12th on beam.

FORT WORTH, Texas –Elizabeth Price earned first-team All-America honors in four-of-five events and Ivana Hong claimed first-team recognition on beam as Stanford finished fourth in the first session of the NCAA Championships and 10th overall.

The Cardinal scored 195.575 to place behind first-place Florida (197.475), LSU (197.3375) and Georgia (196.725). Stanford battled through a couple early falls to finish ahead of Auburn (195.100) and Minnesota (194.9875).

“I’m so proud of what they were able to accomplish today and throughout the entire year,” said Stanford head coach Kristen Smyth. “It was a great year filled with a lot of energy and effort from my coaching staff to all of the athletes and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Price finished third in the all-around (39.550), tied for third on vault (9.900) and bars (9.900), and tied for fourth on beam (9.8875). She also registered a ninth-place finish on floor with a 9.8625. Price is now a six-time All-American after earning two honors last year as a freshman.

“Elizabeth Price is phenomenal,” said Smyth. “She’s explosive, dynamic, artistic, has the highest level of difficulty and beautiful range of motion – she’s the total package.”

.@elizabeth_ebee highlights Stanford's resiliency and the seniors' impact during today's meet. #GoStanford #SWG2016 pic.twitter.com/VGu80UdpZt

— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordWGym) April 15, 2016

Price discussed the team's resiliency and the seniors' impact.

Hong performed in the all-around for the first time since the 2013 NCAA Norman Regional and hit each of her routines. She tied for fourth on beam with a 9.8875 to claim the fifth All-America honor of her career and third on beam.

“Ivana is who we dream about having on our team,” said Smyth. “She’s committed, passionate and a selfless team-player. Her leadership has been outstanding from day one.”

"We showed a lot of grit and guts, and that's what we came here planning to do." - @IvanaHong #GoStanford #SWG2016 pic.twitter.com/r99unMj0B8

— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordWGym) April 15, 2016

Hong discussed the team's "grit and guts."

The fourth-place finish concludes the season for the Cardinal and the careers of Stanford’s four seniors, Melissa Chuang, Hong, Jenna Frowein and Taylor Rice. The quartet graduates as the third senior class in program history to qualify to the NCAA Championships each of their four years.

“What’s been most outstanding about our seniors is their growth over the past four years and how they’ve evolved into such great leaders,” said Smyth.

Jenna Frowein reflects on her final meet and how proud she is of her team. #GoStanford #SWG2016 pic.twitter.com/pvxBrBIj9S

— Stanford Gymnastics (@StanfordWGym) April 15, 2016

Frowein reflected on her final meet and her proud feelings about the team.

Despite Stanford not advancing to the Super Six, the Cardinal has plenty to be proud of in a season that included numerous highlights. Stanford competed in its ninth NCAA Championships in the past 10 years and 16th overall, tied for the highest score at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional and picked up four regular season wins against NCAA Championships teams.

The Cardinal claimed a variety of individual honors throughout the season as well with Price being named Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year and earning NACGC/W Regular Season All-America honors with Hong. Price, Hong, Chuang and Rice earned All-Pac-12 honors, and Frowein claimed her third consecutive Pac-12 All-Academic First Team honor – becoming the third gymnast in program history to accomplish the feat.

Smyth credits her staff for having a significant impact on the program’s success.

“[Associate head coach] Chris [Swircek] is my right-hand man and he’s amazing,” said Smyth. “He’s a great coach and a great friend. We build a program based on ‘family’ and I consider him family.”

“[Assistant coach] Neal Gallant is very caring about the athletes and always puts them first. And our athletic trainer Sarah Lyons has been our MVP this season, keeping our team healthy and able to compete each weekend.”

Stanford got off to a decent start on bars, scoring 49.025 and covering for a missed routine in the second position. Price paced the Cardinal with a powerful routine to earn a 9.900 and tie for third. Hong and Nicolette McNair contributed 9.8125’s, while Dare Maxwell and Danielle McNair earned a pair of 9.750’s.

Stanford ran into trouble on beam with two gymnasts missing their routines and the Cardinal having to count a fall. The Cardinal managed a 48.4750 behind terrific performances by Hong and Price, both scoring 9.8875 to tie for fourth place. Nicolette McNair competed in the leadoff position and got Stanford off to a strong start with a 9.800. Rachel Daum concluded the rotation with a 9.7625.

The Cardinal returned from its bye in the third rotation and hit all six of its routines on floor. Price again led Stanford with a 9.8625 to tie for ninth. Hong performed on floor for the first time since the 2013 NCAA Championships Semifinal and went 9.7875. Melissa Chuang and Haley Spector contributed quality routines, both scoring 9.775.

Stanford capped the semifinal by tying its fourth-highest score of the season on vault with a 49.150. Cardinal gymnasts improved on the score before them in four-of-five opportunities.

Price led the Cardinal with a 9.900, followed by Nicolette McNair (9.850), Hong (9.8125) and Danielle McNair (9.800).

“It was such a great team effort with everybody making contributions throughout the year and working hard to give us the opportunity to be here at NCAAs,” said Smyth.