Sooner Gymnasts Win Final Meet of Season

March 17, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team swept Texas Woman's University 195.825 to 191.950 tonight at the Lloyd Noble Center. The Sooners set a season high team score of 195.825 in front 523 fans, the largest crowd of the season.

"We performed very well as a whole and I am thrilled with the team," said head coach Becky Buwick.

The competition was that of record breaking for Amber McCracken as she set or tied a total of four career records. The junior registered her eighth all-around win of the season with a career high 39.575. McCracken also dominated the vault by tying a school record of 9.950 for the third time this season. She posted her third career high of the night with a 9.90 on the floor for another first-place finish. The three-time Big 12 Gymnast of the Week set her fourth career record on the bars with a score of 9.925.

"I am really excited about Amber's performances," said Becky Buwick. "Amber is really tough, she has been injured in practice, but bounced back to perform with impressive charisma."

Ginger Russell set a career high in the all-around with a 39.375 for a second-place finish in the event. On the vault, Russell tied her season high of 9.825 to tie teammates Malia Carr and Mariana Goncalves for second place. The junior also tied a season high for the first place spot on the beam with a 9.850. On the floor, Russell posted a 9.850 to tie for third.

For the first time this season, Mariana Goncalves did not compete in the all-around. The freshman tied for second-place on the vault with a 9.825. Goncalves registered her third win on the floor with a 9.900 and also placed second on the bars with a twin score.

In other top finishes, Malia Carr placed in the top three on the vault for the first time this season with a 9.825 to tie for second place. The junior also had a third-place finish on the floor with a 9.850. Sophomore Nicole Tycer registered a third-place finish with a 9.875 on the bars.

The Sooners will advance to the Big 12 Championships in Colombia, Mo. on March 27.

Team Score
Oklahoma 195.825
Texas Woman's 191.950

All-Around
1. Amber McCracken (OU) 39.575
2. Ginger Russell (OU) 39.375
3. Courtney Memrick (TWU) 39.000

Bars
1. Amber McCracken (OU) 9.925
2. Mariana Goncalves (OU) 9.900
3. Nicole Tycer (OU) 9.875

Beam
1. Ginger Russell (OU) 9.850
1. Kim Koenig (TWU) 9.825
3. Amber McCracken (OU) 9.800
(t) Terrie Runciman (TWU) 9.800

Vault
1. Amber McCracken (OU) 9.950
2. Malia Carr (OU) 9.825
(t) Ginger Russel (OU) 9.825
(t) Mariana Goncalves (OU) 9.825

Floor Exercise
1. Amber McCracken (OU) 9.900
(t) Mariana Goncalves (OU) 9.900
2. Ginger Russell (OU) 9.850
(t) Malia Carr (OU) 9.850

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooner Gymnasts Win Final Meet of Season

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