Denton, Texas – The Centenary gymnastics team finished second to the host Texas Woman's University Pioneers on Sunday in a Midwest Independent Conference dual meet at Kitty Magee Arena.
The Ladies, currently ranked 68th in the nation and the fourth-highest ranked team in all of division III, finished with a 186.575 team score while the Pioneers recorded a 191.575. Centenary was competing in its third meet of the season after opening the 2022 campaign at LSU on Jan. 7 with a 185.650 score and runner-up finish to the nationally-ranked Tigers, and then earning another second-place finish versus the Air Force Falcons last Sunday in the home opener with a season-high 187.650.
Centenary earned its highest individual event score on Sunday with a season-high score (47.875) on beam followed by a 47.50 on vault, a season-high 45.675 on floor, and a 45.522 on bars.
Freshman Emma Lavelle (Mandeville, La.) won the all-around competition for the first time in her young career as she earned a season and career-high 37.850. Senior All-American Kendall Sanders (Spring Branch, Texas) finished second in the AA with a 37.80. Lavelle earned a 9.775 on beam, a season-best 9.70 on floor, a 9.40 on vault, and an 8.975 on bars. Sanders' top score on Sunday was a 9.60 on beam, followed by a 9.525 on vault, a 9.375 on floor, and finally a 9.30 on bars.
Junior Leilani Johnson (Wichita, Kan.) earned a 9.625 on vault, the Ladies' best score in the event on Sunday, Sanders was second with her 9.525, junior Lacey Wedge (Belle Chasse, La.) scored a career-high 9.50. Junior Kendall Huff (Riviera, Texas) earned a 9.45, Lavelle finished with a 9.40 and sophomore Isabel Plaza (San Antonio, Texas) earned a 9.250.
Junior All-American Taylor Ann Wilson (Memphis, Tenn.) had the Ladies' top score on bars with a 9.55 followed by Sanders' 9.30 and a 9.225 from senior All-American Xian Baumgartner (Albuquerque, N.M.). Lavelle was next with an 8.975, senior Kendall Knaps (Prairieville, La.) scored a season-high 8.475, and junior Rose Deshler (Hastings, Minn.) earned an 8.15.
Lavelle led the way on beam with her 9.775 and Sanders was right behind her with a 9.60. Baumgartner and sophomore Rylie Molina (Moss Bluff, La.) each scored a 9.525 as Molina recorded a season high. Freshman Carissa Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.) scored a 9.45 and Deshler an 8.825. Lavelle's 9.70 on floor led the way in the event followed by a 9.375 from Sanders, a 9.35 from Huff, an 8.80 from Johnson, an 8.45 from Deshler, and a 7.75 from Wedge.
Centenary now prepares to remain on the road and will do so for the entire month of February. The Ladies will face Alaska-Anchorage on Feb. 11 and 13 to begin their month of travels.
See the Ladies' complete season schedule here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/gymnastics/2021-22/schedule
Live stats and live video are available for all home meets.
Admission is FREE to all Centenary home athletic contests but be advised of current COVID-19 protocols for fans. Updated COVID-19 information is now available via www.GoCentenary.com.
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