The 18th-ranked Golden Gopher women’s gymnastics team lost to No. 10 Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., by a score of 195.250-196.350. Minnesota gymnasts earned two event wins tonight as Kristin Furukawa tied for first place on bars (9.85) and Carmelina Carabajal tied for first on beam (9.85).

The Gophers were up on uneven bars first, and were led by sophomore Kristin Furukawa. Furukawa earned a 9.85 to tie for first place, marking her fourth bars win of the season. Alexis Russell was the second-best scorer for the Gophers, earning a 9.825 to tie for third place. As a team, Minnesota compiled a score of 48.625 on bars, the lowest bars score of the 2009 season.

Minnesota competed on vault in the second rotation, and were led by senior captain Carmelina Carabajal, who tied for third place overall with a score of 9.875. Sophomore Jamie Bullock competed on vault for the first time this season, and earned a 9.825 to tie her career-best score. Sophomore Yuri Nagai also tied her career-best mark, earning a 9.7. Kendra Elm earned a 9.75, setting a new personal-best score on vault. Minnesota team score on vault was 48.85, the best for the Gophers this season.

Carmelina Carabajal was the top performer for Minnesota on floor, where she tied her best score of the season with a 9.85, placing fifth overall. Alexis Russell earned a 9.825, while Kendra Elm received a score of 9.775. As a team, Minnesota tallied a 48.825 on floor.

On balance beam, Minnesota was again led by Carmelina Carabajal, who earned a 9.85 to tie for first place. Carabajal has now won five event titles on beam this season. Coming in second for the Gophers and third overall was Kristin Furukawa, with a score of 9.825. Ana Balboa and Jamie Bullock each earned scores of 9.75. The team score for the Gophers on beam was 48.900.

For the first time this season, Minnesota had three all around performers. Carmelina Carabajal finished in third place in the all around competition with a total score of 39.200. Alexis Russell was fourth with a score of 39.075. Kendra Elm had the second-best all around total of her career with a 38.825.

Minnesota returns home next weekend for the final home meet of the 2009 season. The Gophers will take on Big Ten rival Iowa on Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m. Seniors Jade Beattie, Carmelina Carabajal and Angela Walker will be honored during the senior night presentation.