Women's Gymnastics Tops Kent State

NORMAN, Okla. The fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics team (5-0) stayed undefeated, sweeping all four events en route to its 194.800-188.475 victory against Kent State (1-1) on Friday inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

“We had a good performance tonight and were very solid overall,” head coach Steve Nunno said. “We had no major falls or mistakes, but we still have some work to do.”

Complete Results | Photo Gallery

Sophomore Ashley Cooney led the charge, picking her second consecutive all-around victory (39.350). Cooney was victorious in three events and scored a season-high 9.85 on the uneven bars. The Plano, Texas, native also won vault (9.80) and floor exercise (9.9).

“I expected that performance out of her,” Nunno commented. “She is back to the form she was in when she was regional champion last year.”

Senior co-captain Erin LaBarr won the balance beam for the second time this season, scoring a 9.825. LaBarr also finished second in the all-around (39.100), uneven bars (9.80), and floor exercise (9.85).

The pair of Cooney and LaBarr have led the Sooners in the all-around in each of the three meets this season.

Freshman Caitlin Hinkis delivered a stellar 9.7 performance on the uneven bars in her first collegiate competition. Hinkis tied for third with teammate Brittney Koncak.

“Hopefully, we'll build on this effort,” Nunno said. “I think we have a championship-caliber team. Tonight we used a few different performers in order to build confidence to take us to a national level.”

Kent State, in its second straight meet against a ranked opponent, lost for the first time this season after defeating then-No. 23 West Virginia last week.

The Sooners travel to Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Jan. 29, for their next meet against Ohio State.