Women’s gymnastics’ rise continues, earning 195.650 on Senior Night

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Finishing in second place on Friday evening in a Mountain West tri-meet with Utah State and San Jose State, the Air Force women's gymnastics team honored its upcoming graduates in a multitude of ways on Senior Night – including the Falcons finishing the evening with a 195.650, tying its fifth all-time highest all-around score.

The 2024 Falcons, not only demonstrating on a weekly basis their continued improvement on the score sheet, have also shown consistency in their finishes this season, as Air Force continues to leave its name in the record books week at a weekly rate this year.

Opening on vault, Air Force posted a 48.600, proving a season high and the Falcons' sixth-straight week to improve in the event. The Falcons were led by freshman Maggie Slife's 9.850, good for a share of first place and tying her season/career best. Gabriella Meccia's 9.775 proved a new career best for her, while Sarah Willis tied her career mark, earning a 9.750.

On uneven bars, the Falcons closed with a 49.050 – the program's fifth-best score all time, and marking the third-consecutive 49-or-better team finish in the event this season, the first such occurrence in program history. Ayla McKean and Slife's pair of 9.875s topped Air Force scores to tie for second place, with McKean matching her second-best career mark and earning her third 9.875 or better in three-straight weeks. Madison Carlisle was judged a 9.825 to earn the second-best mark of her collegiate career.

On balance beam, Air Force scored a 48.850, led again by McKean's 9.850 – A finish tying last week's season high and good for a share of second place. Freshman Clara Wallace matched her career mark, earning a 9.825 in back-to-back weeks.

The Falcons finished the evening earning a 49.150 on floor exercise to notch their third 49-or-better on floor in four weeks. Slife's 9.875 tied for second, followed up by a pair of 9.850s for Wallace and Gianna Martyna to both match their career bests. Willis added the fourth 9.800-or-better to the tally, tying her career best with a 9.825.

Slife earned her fifth all-around title of 2024, scoring a 39.300. Fellow freshman Wallace closed the all-around in third with a 38.975.

Thoughts from Coach Green on the Falcons' Friday showing:
"I thought we were consistent from start to finish. Clara continues to be consistent and unshakable in her performances. Ayla's energy and showmanship keeps the team engaged and excited. Gracie's bubbly personality is contagious and pulls the crowd into the meet."

Coach on her senior class:
"The seniors are grit and grace wrapped up in one. They have come into their own and figured out what's truly important. They have grown in all dimensions of their lives. Finding their ten moments and being grateful for them. They see the big picture and are mentoring the team."

Up Next:
Air Force women's gymnastics heads to Denver on Sunday to compete in a quad with No. 11 DU, San Jose State and Lindenwood.

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