ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Stanford women's gymnastics opened its 2024 season Friday, falling 197.725-193.625 at No. 20 Michigan inside Crisler Center.
Fifth-year Chloe Widner led all Cardinal gymnasts with her 39.525 all-around total. She earned the meet's second-highest all-around total behind Michigan's Sierra Brooks' program record-setting all-around score of 39.850.
The Cardinal earned a 46.125 team score on bars sending just five gymnasts in its first rotation. Widner's effort of 9.875 was the team's best score of the rotation, followed by a 9.825 from senior Ira Alexeeva and a 9.700 from sophomore Claire Dean.
Stanford continued on vault, only sending five gymnasts for the second straight rotation. The Cardinal totaled a 48.775 on its second event, led by Widner's 9.850 and a 9.800 from senior Amanda Zeng.
The Cardinal took its momentum on vault into the second half of the meet, earning a 49.300 on floor. Sophomore Taralyn Nguyen led the way with a career-best 9.900, while Dean, Zeng, junior Brenna Neault and Widner all earned scores of 9.850. Senior Sandra Jessen recorded her career-best effort in the anchor spot, scoring a 9.775.
Stanford ended its night on beam, earning its best event total of the evening with a 49.425 on beam. The Cardinal lineup's bookends set the tone for the rotation, as Dean earned a 9.925 in the leadoff spot and Widner finished the night with a 9.950 in the anchor position. Alexeeva, Neault and Nguyen rounded out Stanford's scoring efforts, earning scores of 9.875, 9.850, and 9.825, respectively. Sophomore Ashley Carter made her collegiate debut on beam with a score of 9.750.
The Cardinal continues its three-week road swing in Denver, Colo. Jan 21, taking on the Pioneers, UCLA, and Oklahoma in a quad meet scheduled for a 1 p.m. PT start.
