This past weekend UNH gymnastics hosted UNC for their Faculty Appreciation Day in the Lundholm Gymnasium. This was the third consecutive match UNH faced off against UNC.
UNH started the meet off on the vault. They got off to a great start as many of the Wildcat gymnasts scored personal bests. First-year standout Kylie Gorgenyi continued her campaign as she set a career-high 9.850 to match senior Emma Winer for second best on the vault. First-year gymnast Robyn Kelley also set her personal best at 9.800. The Wildcats finished the first round with an impressive total score of 49.000 to lead UNC in the first rotation.
Head coach Lindsey Ayotte Bruck commented, “It was really nice to finally hit the 49.000 mark on vault”. An impressive feat for a young and improving team.
UNH moved to the uneven bars for the second rotation. Senior Riley Freehling set a career best 9.800 on the bars to tie for second with Gorgenyi. Senior Ava Watkins and junior Clare Hampford placed in fourth with scores of 9.750 to support the Wildcats’ efforts. UNH only scored a 48.475 on the bars, however, placing them behind UNC heading into the third rotation.
The ‘Cats moved to the beam to try and make up group heading into the second half of the meet. Sophomore Hailey Lui scored a 9.875 for the ‘Cats to share second place overall. First-year athlete Alyssa Worthington and Kelley both scored 9.825 to tie for fourth. Winer also supported with a 9.800 to tie for eighth place. The Wildcats fell further behind in the meet as UNC continued to post impressive scores all around.
Into the fourth rotation the Wildcats had a lot of ground to gain to come out with the win. Winer continued to shine on the floor exercise, posting another 9.900 to tie for first place. This was her fourth time leading the floor exercise in meets this year. Kelley scored a 9.825 to tie for fourth in the match with Watkins also supporting with a 9.800.
UNH was unable to catch up as UNC left no room for error winning the match 196.100 to UNH’s 195.300.
Bruck Ayotte said following the match, “we just need to keep believing in our gymnastics and knowing we are a great team. I know we have so much more to give”.
UNH will need a valiant effort next weekend as they head to Ann Arbor to take on No. 7 Michigan. This match will certainly be extra special for Bruck Ayotte as Michigan is her alma matter.
