Gymnastics: Beavers Score Big Win Over BYU

Oregon State has now beaten Brigham Young five times in a row including twice in the last two weeks.

Salem-News.com Sports

PROVO, Utah - The Oregon State gymnastics team continued its strong start to the 2009 season with a convincing win at BYU. OSU’s Jami Lanz and Mandi Rodriguez swept the all-around competition en route to the 194.550-188.975 victory.

Oregon State, which is ranked ninth in the Preseason Coaches Poll, improved its season record to 3-1, while the Cougars fell to (0-4).

“We did a great job tonight. This is one of the best early season meets we’ve had in quite a while,” head coach Tanya Chaplin said. “Especially considering the circumstances of returning from Mexico with a short week and several lineup changes. It will be nice to go home to compete at Gill Coliseum.”

The Beavers quickly jumped to a full point advantage in the first rotation nailing six straight routines on the uneven bars. Jami Lanz and Leslie Mak posted back-to-back scores of 9.8 to set up Jen Kesler in the anchor spot. Kesler, who was scratched from the beam and floor lineups due to an ankle injury suffered in warm-ups, came through with a score of 9.85 in her only routine of the night. OSU scored 48.875 in the rotation, an increase of a quarter-point from the season opener last week.

When the OSU vault team had finished the second rotation outcome had been determined. The Beavers had a dominant three-plus point lead. Freshman Stephanie McGregor set the tone on the apparatus sticking the opening vault to the tune of a career-best 9.75. Whitney Watson matched McGregor two vaulters later and Mandi Rodriguez, a 2007 All-American on vault, finished the scoring for the Beavers with a 9.825.

Once again, the Beavers opened the lead during the third rotation as OSU took the floor exercise. After three “hit” routines, Leslie Mak tallied a 9.75 to begin the higher scoring for the Beavs. Lanz and Rodriguez followed with outstanding performances to score identical 9.8’s.

The fourth rotation was more of the same as the Beavers continued to outscore the Cougars. Rodriguez led off for the Beavers with a beautiful routine and a score of 9.7. Once again Mak delivered a strong routine and received a 9.675 for her efforts. Brooke Barclay and Lanz nailed their routines to close out the night for OSU with scores of 9.775 and 9.85.

The Beavers are set to return to Corvallis next week to host No. 12 Arkansas and California, Friday, Jan. 16. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at legendary Gill Coliseum. Doors open at 6 p.m. Season and individual tickets can be purchased online, by calling 1-800-GO-BEAVS or in person at the OSU Ticket Office located in room 107 of Gill Coliseum.

Notes: Oregon State has now beaten Brigham Young five times in a row including twice in the last two weeks. The Beavers topped the Cougars last week at the Cancun Classic 194.575-189.125 ... Senior Johnnie Rae Schmelzer performed on vault and balance beam for the first time in her college career and scored 9.525 and 9.625 respectively.

Team Scores: No. 9 Oregon State 194.550; BYU 188.975.

All-Around: 1. Jami Lanz (OSU) 39.150; 2. Mandi Rodriguez (OSU) 39.075; 3. Danielle Goldman (BYU) 36.900. Other OSU Scores: Jami Lanz ; Mandi Rodriguez .

Vault: 1. Mandi Rodriguez (OSU) 9.825; T2. Stephanie McGregor (OSU) 9.750, Whitney Watson (OSU) 9.750. Other OSU Scores: Jami Lanz 9.700; Brooke Barclay 9.675; Johnnie Rae Schmelzer 9.525 (Exhibition – Kera Bolen 9.325).

Bars: 1. Jen Kesler (OSU) 9.850; T2. Jami Lanz (OSU) 9.800, Leslie Mak (OSU) 9.800. Other OSU Scores: Mandi Rodriguez 9.750; Laura-Ann Chong 9.675; Olivia Vivian 9.550 (Exhibition – Kera Bolen 9.625).

Beam: 1. Jami Lanz (OSU) 9.850; T2. Brooke Barclay (OSU), Kaylee Gallup (BYU) 9.775. Other OSU Scores: Mandi Rodriguez 9.700; Leslie Mak 9.675; Johnnie Rae Schmelzer 9.625; Laura-Ann Chong 9.250 (Exhibition – Adonica Glatt 8.875).

Floor: T1. Jami Lanz (OSU), Mandi Rodriguez (OSU) 9.800; 3. Leslie Mak (OSU) 9.750. Other OSU Scores: Kera Bolen 9.500; Stephanie McGregor 9.500; Johnnie Rae Schmelzer 9.425 (Exhibition – Jereme Bigelow 9.200).

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