Gymnasts prove they can win on road, too

Led by a career performance from sophomore Tasha Smith, Beavers record 11th-best team score in program history in win

By: The Daily Barometer

Posted: 2/26/07

SEATTLE - Oregon State had struggled this season on the road. No more. The Beavers posted the 11th best team score in OSU history reaching the 196-point mark for the second week in a row scoring 196.975.

For the second consecutive week OSU surpassed the 49-point mark on all four events setting season-highs on uneven bars (49.200), floor exercise (49.375) and vault (49.375). Washington also scored its season-high of 195.800 to finish second in the triangular meet and Seattle Pacific finished third with a score of 190.050.

At the mid-point in the season, Oregon State continues to show improvement opening the meet with a season-best score (49.200) on bars. Sophomore Jami Lanz scored a 9.900 for the second week in a row to tie her career-high and fellow sophomore Tasha Smith stuck her landing to tie the best score of her career with a 9.850. Freshman Laura-Ann Chong enjoyed her best bars set of the season to record a career-high 9.850.

The Beavers turned up the intensity on the floor exercise their most impressive performance to date. Smith tied her career with a 9.950, delighting her hometown crowd with her big tumbling and Michael Jackson dance routine. Lanz added her second 9.900 in two weeks

OSU finished the meet on the vault and received a 9.650 from freshman Whitney Watson, who performed in the competition lineup for the first time in her career. With a solid start, the rest of the Beaver vaulters went to work. Megan Devencenzi showed why she was the anchor to the vault lineup as a freshman, sticking her landing for a 9.900. Bringing up the rear of the vault lineup was Smith, who tied her career-best of 9.925, and Mandi Rodriguez finished the scoring with a career-high 9.950.

The Beavers compete next week in Boise, Idaho when they face BSU, UC Davis and Seattle Pacific. OSU's next home meet is the Salbasgeon Suites Invitational when the Beavers host Utah, Washington and Seattle Pacific.