SHREVEPORT, La. – In the Ladies Gymnastics final team competition of the season, junior Cami Bea Austin (vault) and senior Navia Jordan (beam and floor) picked up All-Conference honors, while Centenary finished fifth as a team with a 190.575 at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships Friday night, March 22.
The Ladies finished three tenths better than Southeast Missouri State (190.275). UIC and Lindenwood tied for the team championship with a 195.350. It is UIC's 13th MIC title while it is Lindenwood's 5th-consecutive crown.
The Ladies began their meet in a big way, finishing with a season-best 48.475 on floor. Senior Navia Jordan led Centenary with a 9.775 to be Second Team All-Conference, while senior Elizabeth Sander and sophomore Jerrica Harris had career highs with scores of 9.725 and 9.675, respectively. Junior Cami Bea Austin also received a 9.675, while freshman Kendall Sanders received a 9.625.
The Ladies hit all five routines on vault to the tune of 47.700, their third-highest score of the season. Austin tied for sixth with a 9.775 to be named First Tea, All-Conference.
After a 46.325 on bars for Centenary, the Ladies knew they needed a 47.800 or better on beam to overtake Southeast Missouri State. The Ladies responded, hitting all six routines and receiving a 48.075. Jordan finished fourth with a 9.800 to receive First Team All-Conference accolades. Freshman Xian Baumgartner came up with a big career high of 9.700 in only her second time competing on the apparatus.
Sanders finished eighth in the all-around with a 38.225.
Jordan Boogerd of Lindenwood, Mackenzie Slee of Southeast Missouri State, and Riley Mahoney of UIC all tied for the vault title with a 9.825. Serena Baker of UIC took bars with a 9.850, while Erin Alderman of Texas Woman's won on beam with a 9.875. Cameron Topp of Illinois State claimed the floor crown with a 9.900. Kayla Baddeley of UIC won on the all-around with a 39.175.
Centenary will find out next week if any individuals will compete in NCAA postseason competition and what gymnasts will compete in the USA Gymnastics Championships.
