Arizona Gymcats advance to NCAA Regional Final in Seattle | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Arizona Gymnastics is moving on to the Sweet 16!

The Gymcats beat No. 10 Georgia and Arizona State to finish second in the NCAA Seattle Regional Semifinal. They scored a 196.25. Missouri won the meet with a 197.650. Georgia earned third with a 196.175, and Arizona State followed behind with a 196.050.

This is the first time Arizona has advanced to the regional final since this format began in 2019. 

The Wildcats got off to a rough start on the uneven bars, sitting in fourth after the rotation. They put up a 48.975. Emily Mueller was the lead-off for the Cats and scored a strong 9.85 to kick off the meet. Abigayle Martin and Elena Deets scored back-to-back 9.85s. Alysen Fears rounded out the rotation with a 9.80.

Arizona made up some ground on the balance beam, earning a 49.025. Fears put up a strong 9.825 to start off the rotation. Gianna Lenczner followed with a 9.775. Tirzah Wise added a 9.80. Martin led the Cats on beam with a 9.90 to close out the rotation. They still sat in fourth after the second rotation.

In the third rotation, the Wildcats put up a strong score of 49.275 on floor. Senior Elizabeth LaRusso earned a 9.825. Fears kept the momentum with a 9.850. Martin added a 9.825. Emma Strom led the Cats with a 9.90. Mueller scored a 9.875 to move the Cats up to second place heading into the final rotation of the meet.

In the final rotation, Arizona earned a 48.975 on vault. Mueller and Martin put up two 9.775s. Fears earned a 9.850. Freshman Jessa Janicke finished off the rotation with a 9.825 to secure second place for the Cats.

The GymCats will compete in the NCAA Seattle Regional Final on Sunday, April 6 at 5 p.m. MST.