MINNEAPOLIS – The 11th-ranked University of Minnesota women’s gymnastics team remained one of just three undefeated teams nationally, as it improved to 12-0 by winning its annual Best of Minnesota/Always Dreaming Invitational at the Sports Pavilion on Saturday evening.
Minnesota (12-0, 4-0 Big Ten) finished with a team total of 196.000 points to outdistance the state of Minnesota’s three other women’s gymnastics programs – Winona State (184.975), Hamline (184.675) and Gustavus Adolphus (177.450)
With the victory, the Golden Gophers remained one of three undefeated teams, along with No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 4 UCLA.
The Gophers opened with a 49.175 on vault, as junior Kayla Slechta scored a meet-best 9.925, while freshman Lindsay Mable had a personal-best 9.875 and sophomore Jenny Covers scored a 9.850.
On uneven bars, Minnesota was led by senior Janell Campbell’s 9.875, while junior Dusti Russell made her 2013 debut with a 9.775. Covers and freshman Madie Hanley each also had 9.775, as Minnesota scored a team total of 48.450 and led by four full points with a 97.625 after the second rotation.
Russell won balance beam in her return to the lineup, scoring a 9.875. Senior Shannon Golich and Mable tied for second with scores of 9.850, while junior Justine Cherwink was fourth with a 9.800.
Minnesota wrapped up the victory with a 49.225 on floor exercise, as Mable tied her career-high with a 9.925 and Schermann followed with a 9.900.
Covers won the all-around title with a 39.125, with Mable taking second (38.750) despite a fall on bars.
The Gophers will now hit the road for their next three meets, beginning with a trip to Iowa for meets at Iowa and Iowa State next weekend. Minnesota faces the Hawkeyes on Friday, Feb. 22, at 7:00 p.m., before traveling to Ames for a meet with the Cyclones on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 2:00 p.m.
