George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
GW Invitational
Gymnastics Finishes Runner-Up at GW Invitational
1/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington University gymnastics team opened its 2006 season Thursday night hosting its annual GW Invitational at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. The Colonials finished runner-up with a score of 189.5 out of six squads led by a meet-high score of 48.3 on uneven bars. GW also had three gymnasts finish in the top three overall in two events.
North Carolina won the team title for the fourth straight year with a score of 192.475. William & Mary claimed third (184.875), followed by James Madison (184.15), Cornell (181.55) and Temple (181.25). The Colonials finished with scores of 48.25 on vault, 48.3 on bars, 46.525 on beam and 46.425 in the floor exercise.
GW started off strong on vault in the second rotation, led by senior Heather Kaufman (Austin, TX) and freshman Kristen Simpson (Surfside, SC). Kaufman scored a 9.75 to finish third out of 36 competitors, while Simpson recorded a 9.7 to finish in a tie for fourth.
Following a bye in the third rotation, the Colonials turned in their best performance of the evening on bars, finishing with a meet-best mark of 48.3 as a team. Senior co-captain Erin Aiken (Centreville, VA) and junior Maggie Parrack (Richardson, TX) each led the way with respective scores of 9.725 to finish tied for second out of 35. Sophomore McKenzie Parrack (Richardson, TX) placed fifth overall with a collegiate-best 9.675.
On beam, freshman Bree Plotsker (Wantagh, NY) was the top performer for GW with a score of 9.675 to claim fifth out of 36. Junior Jess Guilbert (Roswell, GA) and Simpson each scored a 9.55 to place tied for 13th.
In the sixth and final rotation on floor, senior Amy Stack (Matthews, NC) led the way for the Colonials with a 9.5 to finish tied for ninth out of 36. Simpson was the next best performer with a 9.475, while Plotsker recorded a 9.325.
Aiken was the lone Colonial to compete in the all-around. She placed fourth out of eight with a score of 37.175 after marks of 9.525 on vault, 9.725 on bars, 8.9 on beam and 9.025 on floor.
The Colonials (4-1) return to action when they travel to Williamsburg, VA, on Sunday, Jan. 29, to take on William & Mary at 2:00 p.m.
Team Results1. UNC, 192.475
2. GW, 189.5
3. William & Mary, 184.875
4. James Madison, 184.15
5. Cornell, 181.55
6. Temple, 181.25
Players Mentioned
