CEDAR CITY, Utah – Elizabeth Price earned two individual event victories and top-two finishes in each of her three events to highlight Stanford's defeat Friday night at Southern Utah.
Price's impressive night was not enough to propel the Cardinal (3-5) past the Flippin' Birds (1-0), dropping a 196.150-194.150 decision. There were multiple individual highlights but Stanford was undone by having to count missed routines in two events.
Price finished first on vault (9.875) and bars (9.900), and placed second on floor (9.850). She has scored 9.900 or higher in 46-of-74 (62 percent) of her performances during her collegiate career. It was an impressive return for Price after missing the most recent meet due to illness.
Danielle McNair competed in the all-around for the second time in her career and tied for second on vault (9.850) and finished fourth on bars (9.775). Nicolette McNair had a nice night on beam (9.825) and Hailee Hoffman earned a career-best 9.775 on floor.
Stanford started well on bars but ran into trouble midway through the lineup. Nicolette McNair opened with a 9.725 and was followed by quality routines from Aleeza Yu (9.725) and Danielle McNair (9.775).
Rachel Daum fell twice in the fourth spot. Dare Maxwell followed with a steady routine but had trouble on the landing. Price gave the Cardinal a bit of momentum, closing the event with a meet-best 9.900. The Cardinal moved to vault trailing Southern Utah, 49.075-48.525.
Stanford rebounded nicely on vault with a 49.025 to cut its deficit to 0.375. Price again led the Cardinal with a 9.875, and was followed by Danielle McNair in second with a 9.850. Ahsley Tai registered a 9.800, while Nicolette McNair (9.775) and Hoffman (9.725) contributed quality vaults.
Stanford ran into trouble again on floor with two gymnasts falling. Price debuted a new floor routine to pace the Cardinal with a 9.850 to place second. Hoffman contributed an energetic routine to earn a 9.775.
The Cardinal finished well on beam with all six gymnasts hitting their routines. Nicolette McNair led the way with a confident set to score 9.825 and finish fifth overall. Ashley Tai was smooth through each of her connections and scored 9.800. Taryn Fitzgerald continued to be steady and went 9.750.
Stanford will look to continue to improve next Sunday at 1 p.m. during its home debut against Arizona. The Cardinal will honor the 15 year anniversary of its first Super Six team in program history as part of the annual alumni meet.
