It may have been a second loss in a row for the Gym Devils, but they’ll take a score over 195 and season high bars and vault scores on the road.
With five 9.9-plus scores, No. 9 Utah defeated ASU 196.425-195.450.
The high scores for the Sun Devils were from graduate student Kahoku Palafox’s 9.85 on bars and freshman Stephanie Miceli’s 9.85 on beam. Freshman Allie Salas also scored a career high 9.725 on vault.
ASU also finally got to vault six times for the first time all season after because of injury. For the first time in over a year, Sophomore Morgan Steigerwalt vaulted and received a 9.8.
Another line-up change for the Gym Devils was Freshman Kristine Levin taking the leadoff spot on bars replacing Senior Amelia Rew in the lineup who competed in exhibition. Levin scored a 9.675 in her debut.
Meanwhile, sophomore Tory Wilson got a standing ovation from the 14,410 in attendance when the All-American scored a career high 9.975 on vault.
Sophomore Georgia Dabritz scored a 9.9 on the event as well to give the Utes a 49.325-48.900 lead after one rotation.
It was a good thing ASU finally had six on vault because Levin fell during the second rotation. Salas’ career high and Steigerwalt’s high debut helped cover for the Sun Devils and earn a 48.900 on the event.
On bars for the Utes, Dabritz matched her career high and received a 9.95 to help keep the Utes ahead, 98.625-97.800.
ASU must have really like the number 48.900 because they scored this once again in the third rotation on floor.
They had solid scores throughout the lineup, with the lowest coming from freshman Risa Perez who scored a 9.575. She had a low landing on her first pass, which also gave her trouble last week against UCLA.
Utah had falls on beam from Dabritz and junior Mary Beth Lofgren, but still kept the lead, 147.125-146.700.
The beam in the Jon Huntsman Center was not kind to either team. After two falls from Utah, Steigerwalt also fell during the Sun Devils’ turn on the last rotation scoring a 9.125 and sophomore Natasha Sundby had to check her balance which gave her a 9.550. The rest of the No.17 beam team put in solid routines for ASU.
During warm ups on floor, Utah’s most decorated gymnast, junior Corrie Lothrop tore her Achilles, according to a release from Utah athletics. The No. 13 all arounder had to be replaced by an absolutely distraught-looking Lofgren who still managed to score a 9.675.
9.9s from Wilson and Dabritz sealed the deal for Utah, with the Utes taking all four event titles and the all-around.
ASU’s next meet will be at home against No. 14 Oregon State.
Reach the reporter at mklau@asu.edu
