By Jonathan Cañas (@jonathancanas_) – Spear Reporter
Madison Kirsch sticking her landing after completing the vault. | Photo by Christian Vierya – The Spear
San Jose State gymnastics finished second out of four on its senior night against Yale, Illinois State and Boise State. The Spartans finished with 196.575 in total points.
In the first rotation, SJSU fell behind to third place led by Lauren Macpherson and Madison Kirsch who each scored a 9.825 on the vault.
In between the first and second rotation SJSU athletics honored the 2004 MPSF championship team, which seemed to fire up the Spartans.
Everything shifted when the bars team came on for the second rotation. No one finished below a 9.8 and Macpherson earned second place with a 9.925. The Spartans finished with a school record 49.375 on the bars.
As the Spartans were impressing on the bars, the Broncos saw Anna Ferguson and Emily Lopes have back to back 9.950’s on the beam.
SJSU continued its momentum on the beam winning the third rotation with a score of 48.925.
Then, heading into the fourth and final rotation, the Spartans were tied with Illinois State for second place at 147.300. Boise State had a comfortable lead at 147.950.
It was only fitting that three senior Spartans got to secure second place on the final floor routine. Macpherson, Jada Mazury and Jaudai Lopes all scored above a 9.0. However it was Lopes who finished with the event crown with a career-best 9.950.
“So proud of our team today and I’ll tell you what for senior meet its always got the emotion flowing,” SJSU head coach Joanne Bowers said.
Macpherson won the all-around with a career-best 39.500.
After the meet Macpherson, Lopes, Kirsch, Natasha Forrand, and Makayla McMahon were honored as seniors.
“Bars team, school record and Lauren beat her own all around,” said Joanne Bowers. “We’re just trucking right now which is what we need to be doing.”
SJSU now heads to Cal for a tri-meet in its final regular season matchup on March 15 at 7 p.m.
