Air Force takes 2nd at USAG Nationals

ITHACA, N.Y.- The Falcons took second place at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals on Saturday, as Air Force posted a team score of 195.650, the third-highest score in program history.

"What can I say, we left it all out on the floor," said head coach Jennifer Green. "Our goal was to end on empty!"

Texas Women's University inched out Air Force for the first-place finish, recording a 196.025.

"We competed free and as a team from start to finish tonight," said Green. "TWU was the better team tonight, but we gave them a run for their money!"

Briona Carswell managed a career-best score on the beam, placing first among 24 gymnasts with a 9.900 total. Air Force was the lone team of the four to produce all-around qualifiers, as Genevieve Sabado placed first among the group with a 39.200. Sabado's all-around total is the second-highest four-event score of her freshman season.

Sabado also scored a 9.900 following her floor exercise routine, the best score of her young career.

Ayla McKean and Velandra Brochi also qualified for the all-around, with McKean collecting a 39.100 all-around score, while Brochi's 39.050 marks a new career-best.

McKean was tied for seventh in the vault, bars, and beam, and finished 12th on the floor. Meanwhile, Brochi placed 12th in the vault and bars, seventh in the beam, and tied for 13th on the floor.

The Falcons most glamorous event was the floor exercise, where the group of Brochi, McKean, Sabado, Cameo Stapleton, and Daija Stevenson posted a 49.075, the highest-scoring event of the weekend for the Falcons.

Stevenson was given a 9.850 on the floor, placing her in a share of sixth place. Stapleton's 9.800 was good for a ninth-place tie.

Amber Boll continued her stellar weekend, scoring a 9.800 on the bars. Boll will compete in tomorrow's individual finals on the vault after her performance on Friday. Along with Boll, Val Smith is primed to take part in the beam portion of tomorrow's individual finals.

"This team has my full heart," said Green. "I'm so proud!"

Air Force's final event will begin tomorrow, Sunday, April 10 at 11:00 am MT.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Amber Boll

Velandra Brochi

Briona Carswell

Ayla McKean

Genevieve Sabado

Val Smith

Cameo Stapleton

Daija Stevenson

Footer