By Alex Diaz – Spear Reporter (@DiazOnSports) Spear Reporter | SJSU women’s gymnastics exchange high-fives with their competitors during Senior Day, highlighting sportsmanship at The Event Center on March 1 (Photo by Matthew Meyer – Spear Photographer)
Loud cheers echoed throughout Provident Credit Union Event Center on Sunday afternoon as 1,285 fans filled the stands for San Jose State women’s gymnastics Senior Day, marking one of the program’s strongest home turnouts this season.
Behind the electric atmosphere, the Spartans placed third with a 195.925 team score and captured four individual event titles in a quad meet against Boise State, Arizona State and Sacramento State.
The performance comes as SJSU is currently ranked 31st in the nation, continuing to build momentum toward the postseason. Boise State claimed the team title, followed by Arizona State taking second place.
“We’ve had three of our last four meets at 196, or better,” SJSU head coach Joanne Bowers said. “We’re positioning ourselves well.”
SJSU opened the meet with momentum on vault, posting a 49.150, tied for the second-highest vault team score in program history. Sophomore all-around Kaviana Jurries led the way with a career best 9.900, earning her sixth vault title of the season.
On uneven bars, the Spartans recorded a 48.875, highlighted by three 9.800 routines from junior all-around Devyn Valuch, freshman all-around Sophie Pattersonand Jurries. The consistency kept SJSU in contention heading into the final two rotations.
Beam ultimately created the separation in the final standings. SJSU totaled a 48.600 on the event, highlighted by Patterson’s 9.850, but an 8.925 in the lineup lowered the team score and allowed Boise State to gain ground.
The Broncos posted a 48.850 on beam, creating a .250 advantage that proved decisive in the final team totals.
“If we just did our normal team beam, we would have won today,” Bowers said.
Patterson delivered one of the standout performances of the meet, anchoring the beam lineup before securing her second all-around title of the season with a 39.150 total.
“Every time I’m thinking about an event, I try not to carry the good or bad from the last one,” Patterson said. “I just focus on the little things.”
The Spartans closed the afternoon with a season-best 49.300 on floor. Junior Kaylee Larson matched Jurries with a career high 9.900, capturing her first floor title as a Spartan.
Freshman Genesis PeBenito added a 9.875, while sophomore Ava Johnson and Jurries each posted a 9.850 to cap the strong rotation.
Following the meet, the program honored seniors Kyra Cato, Chloe Frank and Mikaela Pitts in an emotional ceremony at center floor.
“It’s definitely emotional and sad,” Pitts said. “I don’t remember life without gymnastics. It’s bittersweet, but I’m so grateful to have been part of this team.
The Spartans will compete next at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 6, at Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Cadet West Gym. Denver will also compete in the tri meet.
