By Levern Johnson (@inkedjournalist) – Gymnastics Beat Reporter
SJSU gymnastics (11-3, 8-0 MPSF) fall second to UC Davis (10-8, 7-3 MPSF) after a 196.200-195.600 finish in the 2023 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship.
Air Force finished third, scoring 195.475. Sac State came in with 194.550, while Alaska Anchorage brought in 190.075.
In the defeat, SJSU managed to bring home three first-place finishes, with junior Jaudai Lopes and graduate student Ariana Castrence tying for first on the vault scoring 9.825, while MPSF gymnast of the year junior Lauren Macpherson brought home the all-around title with a final score of 39.300.
Unfortunately, the Spartan’s mishaps on the beam came back to hurt them after tying a season-low 48.500, which Coach Joanne Bowers hoped wouldn’t happen this week.
“I know everyone was a little disappointed because we won it last year and we were hoping to do it again,” Coach Bowers said. “But other than that, we had such great routines and I don’t want to forget that.”
The last time SJSU gymnastics scored 48.500 on the beam they managed to pull out a victory over Southern Utah, but it didn’t go that way this time.
Levern Johnson – The Spear
UC Davis Aggies take home the 2023 Mountain Pacific title
UC Davis sophomores Keanna Abraham and Megan Ray led the way, scoring 9.800 or higher, helping secure the title for the Aggies.
Behind these underclassmen, the Aggies won three out of four events, with SJSU collecting their only win on the vault scoring 48.800.
Abraham’s performance throughout the season got her All-MPSF first-team and second-team honors, alongside eight Spartans.
Even though the MPSF championship isn’t coming back to San Jose, SJSU gymnastics will be sending several athletes to compete in the NCAA regionals beginning Mar. 29-Apr. 1. The time and location will be announced this upcoming week.