Women’s Gymnastics Wins First at USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals Team Qualifier

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The Air Force women's gymnastics team was firing on all cylinders at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals team qualifier as six Falcons posted first-place finishes to propel the team to a 194.825 mark and a first-place finish, outscoring Lindenwood (194.800), Yale (193.725) and West Chester (191.675), Friday afternoon, in the Wheeler Recreation Center at the University of Bridgeport.

Air Force opened up action on the balance beam where freshman Daija Stevenson led the charge as she posted a career-best 9.850 to tie the team's high mark in the event this season. Stevenson's score was high enough to win a two-way tie for first place. Senior teammate Emily Luers posted a 9.800 in the same event, landing a five-way tie for fourth. Teammates Cameo Stapleton and Tyler Davis posted a 9.725 mark each to finish in a five-way tie for 15^th. Stapleton's score marked a personal career-best. The Falcons finished with a 48.775 on the event.

Davis, the 2018 USAG National Champion in the floor exercise, took the reins as the squad moved on to the floor event. She executed her routine with precision to earn a 9.950 mark, tying her personal career-high score. Natalie Meyer, Air Force's up-and-coming floor exercise specialist, also posted a career-high mark, scoring a 9.750 to finish in a two-way tie for 10^th. The Falcons combined for a 48.525 in the event.

Air Force moved into the vault portion of the event where they continued to dominate, placing four gymnasts in the top-four places of the event. Stevenson and Anna Salamone led the way with 9.800 marks to finish in a three-way tie for third while Davis and Heidi Sand posted 9.775 marks to finish in a four-way tie for fourth. The squad combined for a meet-high 48.800 in the event.

Salamone, a three-time MPSF champion on the uneven parallel bars, knew it was her time to shine as the team moved into the final event. Salamone, who holds the Academy record on the bars (9.950), executed a stellar routine to score a 9.900 and true first-place finish. Salamone has scored a 9.9+ on the bars six times this season. Stevenson followed up with a 9.775 score to finish in a four-way tie for fourth as the freshman posted a new career-high mark. Davis continued to make her argument for the all-around score as she posted a personal season-high 9.725 to finish in a three-way tie for eighth. The Falcons combined efforts produced a meet-high 48.725 in the event.

At the conclusion of all events, it was Davis who set atop the all-around scores as the 2018 USAG All-American posted a 39.175 to finish true-first in the all-around race. The score marked Davis' third time this season to notch a 39.0+ all-around score.

Air Force's combined effort garnered head coach Doug Day's first-ever first-place finish at the USAG Collegiate Nationals team qualifier.

Air Force will be accompanied by the Lindenwood University Lions in the team finals meet, tomorrow (Apr. 13) at 7 p.m. ET. The Falcons and Lions will compete against the top-two teams of the second session of team qualifiers. The University of Bridgeport, Cornell, the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) and Texas Woman's University will compete at 7 p.m. ET, Friday evening.

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