GymDawgs Impress At Purple & Gold
November 21, 2015 | Gymnastics
SEATTLE – UW gymnastics took a big step towards the regular season, as the GymDawgs got their first taste of competition at the annual Purple & Gold intrasquad meet.
“I thought the team did a good job tonight especially with it only being November,” head coach Joanne Bowers said. “We know we still have many improvements to make, but it was nice to get into the arena, perform our routines on the hard surfaces and in front of fans and see where we are at. This will help us get ready for our season opener on Jan. 9th vs. Ohio State.”
With the squad split into team Purple and team Gold, the Huskies counted a total of 19 routines for each team, with team Purple coming out on top with a score of 182.750 to 182.000 for the Gold team. 2015 All-Pac-12 First Team selection Allison Northey took first in the all-around of the four gymnasts who competed in all four events.
Competing for team Purple, Alex Yacalis posted the Huskies' high score on vault with a 9.75. Hampered with injury in 2015, Yacalis figures to play a prominent role on vault for the Huskies in 2016.
“We didn't have a lot of vaulters compete tonight but those who were able to compete, did a nice job with it being the first time they were able to land on the hard surface,” Bowers said. “We do not have that capability in our practice gym so this intra-squad is very important for vault.”
Captains Kaitlyn Duranczyk and Northey posted two of the highest scores on bars for the GymDawgs, with Duranczyk taking the event title by posting a 9.85. Northey and junior Janae Janik each recorded 9.8s, and Hailey Burleson put up a 9.75.
Beautiful routine and a stuck landing from @JanaeJanik! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/fLr0fzSznh
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) November 21, 2015
Freshman Malory Rose impressed in her first competition at Alaska Airlines Arena, posting a 9.9 on beam to win the event. Sophomore Joslyn Goings and Northey tied for second with matching 9.85 scores. Burleson was also solid with a 9.8.
“Our best event was beam,” Bowers said. “Everyone hit their routines and it was really encouraging to see Malory, as a freshman, go out and own that event. We had a lot of poise and I'm looking forward to seeing what our beam lineup can accomplish this season.”
.@joslyngoings in midseason form on beam! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/4rBzba2wVP
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) November 21, 2015
Yacalis won her second event title on floor, posting a 9.775. Zoey Schaefer, returning from injury in 2015, took second on floor with a 9.75. Schaefer won or tied for first on floor in the Huskies' first four meets last season as the lineup anchor before missing the remainder of the season. Burleson and Goings also contributed solid scores, each posting a 9.725.
“Floor is always interesting this early, trying to show off the new dance routines while doing all the tumbling on the competition floor,” Bowers said. “It was a good start for us and I am sure we will improve with training the next couple of months. It was great to have Alex and Zoey back in the lineup and perform so well.”
Part of @Hayb_burleson great floor routine! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/8Rgb48dEdq
— UW Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) November 21, 2015
The GymDawgs continue their preseason preparation and will open the 2016 season against Ohio St. on Jan. 9 at Alaska Airlines Arena.
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