Gymcats best Buckeyes in Ohio


By Michael Irish
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Monday, March 7, 2005

The No. 21 Arizona women's gymnastics team (194.775) defeated Ohio State (193.325) in St. John Arena in Columbus Saturday behind a career-best all-around performance from freshman Danielle Hicks.

"It's nice to win," said Gymcats head coach Bill Ryden. "We're still trying to figure out how to hit all four events at once, but it was a good meet."

The Gymcats took the lead on the first rotation and controlled the meet thereafter.

Sophomore Aubrey Taylor posted a meet-best 9.85 to lead the Gymcats to a 48.9-48.35 lead on the uneven parallel bars.

Senior Jamie Duce tied for second place with a score of 9.8.

Hicks (9.775) and freshman Karin Wurm (9.75) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

"We went in with confidence. We felt prepared," Hicks said. "There were lots of fans in the crowd. It felt good."

The second rotation consisted of a sweep on the vault, as Arizona had the top five scores.

Senior Katie Johnson led the way with a season-best 9.875.

Rachelle Silberg (9.825, career-best), Monica Bisordi (9.800), Wurm and Hicks (9.775 each) rounded out the top five.

Bisordi won her second floor title of the year with a 9.875. Johnson tied for second with a 9.825.

Taylor, Duce and Hicks all put in solid performances as the team finished with a total score of 48.950.

The Gymcats closed out the night on beam, as senior Stevie Fanning and Hicks each tied for second, with a score of 9.800.

Johnson added a 9.775 performance.

"She had a really good meet," said Ryden of Hicks. "She's a talented athlete. It's just part of the learning process."

This was only the second time in her career that Hicks competed in the all-around.

"(It was) really exciting; my family was there," Hicks said. "It was that much better to be able to share that experience with them."

Bisordi, the only other Gymcat to compete in the all-around competition, finished with a final tally of 37.975.

Arizona hosts its final home meet of the season Friday against Cal State Fullerton, Texas Women's and Ball State.

The "senior meet" opens in McKale Center at 7:30 p.m.