Women’s gymnastics closes UC Davis/Centenary tri in second place

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's gymnastics team continues to leave its mark in the record books and show its potential, as the Falcons closed their second home meet of 2024 with a second-place, 194.350 finish on Friday evening in the Cadet Gym.

Three-time Mountain West Freshman of the Week Maggie Slife won her fourth all-around title of the season, scoring a 39.225 to top the 2023 MPSF Freshman of the Year, UC Davis' Amelia Moneymaker, by a tenth of a point. To date, Slife has secured the all-around title in all four meets the Falcon newcomer has competed in. Junior Velandra Brochi competed in the all-around for the first time this season, closing the evening with a 38.825.

Opening on vault, the Falcons raised their 2024 benchmark, setting a new season high with a 48.550 to finish in second. Brochi and Slife both finished tied for third, earning a 9.775.

Air Force posted an historic 49.125 on uneven bars, setting the program's newest second all-time highest team score in the event - the best mark since the 2014 Falcons set the record at 49.300 - and earning just the fifth-ever 49 or higher on bars. Slife's 9.925, her second of the season on bars, spearheaded the Falcons' showing on the apparatus to claim yet another first-place finish. Ayla McKean, earning back-to-back podiums on bars tied for second place with a 9.875 to set a new career best. Competing in a field crowded with high scores, freshman Clara Wallace finished with a 9.800 – her career high – to finish in sixth.

On balance beam, Air Force was led by Slife's 9.650 to close with a 47.800 and a second-place team finish.

Closing on floor exercise, the Falcons once again put out a stellar showing, finishing with a first-place 48.875. Three Falcons ended the night on floor with a 9.825 or better, as Slife's new career-best 9.875 was good for another first-place finish. Gianna Martyna and Gabriella Meccia both claimed a share of third, each earning a 9.825, and cementing Martyna's continued rise in the event while tying her career best.

Up Next:
Air Force women's gymnastics is back on the West Coast on Friday, Feb. 23, sharing a gym once again with Sacramento State and Southeastern Missouri State in Sacramento at 7 p.m. 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.