By Andrew Hartley(@andrewhart1ey) – Spear Reporter
Lauren Macpherson creating angles while performing on beam. l Photo by Titus Wilkinson – The Spear
The Mean Girls Super 16 is the largest regular season women’s collegiate gymnastics of all time. SJSU took part in the event and finished with a 194.950 score, the lowest of all 16 competing teams. But it’s a deceiving placement.
Seven of the top 10 preseason ranked teams in the nation competed in the tournament along with current Olympians.
While it’s the lowest score the Spartans displayed in over a year, head coach Joanne Bowers loved their performance.
“We’re in a good place to start our season,” said Bowers. “We had a few little mess ups that we don’t normally have but they’re learning experiences.” While some of the senior members did not perform to previous season’s averages, the freshmen stole the show.
Marissa Ashton finished with the highest score of any Spartan on beam with a 9.825. Not a bad way to start a collegiate career. Devyn Valuch had the second highest vault score with a 9.800, a valuable presence with key members departing this summer. Mia Nelson also got experience in multiple events, vault, floor and beam.
The event SJSU had the most question marks coming into the season with, the vault, was its highest scoring event with a 48.925. Senior Madison Kirsch scored a 9.850 to lead a very strong round. With the great emergence of Valuch and reigning Mountain Pacific Sports Federation co-vault champion Jaudai Lopes still in her senior year, it could become an event of strength.
“I think we’re gonna be able to take this meet and really use it as a springboard for the rest of the season,” said Bowers.
Of course, the Spartans’ best National Qualifying Score (NQS) event from last season was their worst performance throughout the weekend. SJSU only managed a 48.625 on floor with uncharacteristic performances from Lopes and Katherine Weyhmiller. As long as they can return last season’s averages and Lauren Macpherson(9.800 floor, 38.850 All-around) continues to perform at her level, this shouldn’t be a problem.
“We told them if you’re going to do something, swing big and they did that,” said Bowers.
They’ll hope to build off this experience at their next meet, which is set to take place in Sacramento against Sac. State on Jan. 14 at 2 p.m.