By Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear Reporter | Spartans Sophia Konieczny during bars in a meet with Air Force in Febuary 2024 at Provident Credit Union Event Center. (Photo by Andrew Hartley- The Spear)
San Jose State gymnastics displayed solid performances during its away meet against Air Force and Hamline Friday night.
The Spartans headed for Air Force’s home turf and finished with 194.200 that resulted in second place.
SJSU had tight competition with the Falcons, but it was not enough to earn the top score to beat out Air Force at home.
During the first two rotations, the Spartans finished second behind Air Force as the team scored a total of 48.375 on uneven bars and 48.525 on the balance beam.
Senior Sophia Konieczny led the team in uneven bars with a 9.825 while freshman Madison Gustitus scored a team high and season best 9.875 on the balance beam in the second rotation.
With the help of Konieczny and Gustitus, SJSU was able to keep fair competition with the Falcons.
Freshman Samantha Macasu and Katherine Weyhmiller also contributed by earning 9.800 on the balance beam.
When it came to the floor exercise in the third rotation, the team resulted in scoring a total of 48.400.
Jaudai Lopes led San Jose in the event with a 9.800 while freshman Ava Johnson and sophomore Devyn Valuch both earned 9.700.
The Spartans most notably finished its final rotation on the vault on a high note and the only event where the team beat out Air Force to take first place in.
The team went on to earn 48.900 while Lopes and Madison Kirsch both scored a team high of 9.800.
SJSU gymnastics head coach Joanne Bowers was satisfied with the individual performances of the gymnasts at all events, but is determined for her team to earn a higher score.
“We’re still not happy with the team score because we know we can do better and we’re going to keep getting better as we go,” Bowers said on X.
The Spartans will continue to compete on the road as they next take on Utah State on Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m. in Logan, Utah.
