WVU Explodes for Season-Best Road Score

Friday, February 23

Norman, Okla.

7:45 PM

West Virginia University

195.75

198.025

Oklahoma

February 23, 2018 10:28 PM | Gymnastics

Results

By: Shannon McNamara

NORMAN, Okla. – A near program-record performance on vault propelled the West Virginia University gymnastics team to a season-high road score in a 198.025-195.75 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma this evening at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Three career-best vault scores, including an almost perfect 9.925 from senior Robyn Bernard in the leadoff position, pushed the Mountaineers (7-7, 0-3) to a 49.325 team total, the fifth-best mark in program history and WVU's top vault score since earning 49.375 at Penn State on Feb. 6, 2011.

"I am really proud of this team. We had some personal-best performances, and most importantly, great chemistry," associate head coach Travis Doak said. "There's still some work to do, but everything we need to fix is fixable, and the team will peak at the right time at the end of the season."

The Mountaineers finished second to the Sooners (7-1, 2-0) on all four events. In addition to the season-high vault mark, the Mountaineers also scored season-best road marks of 49.1 on floor exercise and 49.025 on balance beam. WVU opened the meet with a 48.3 on uneven bars.

WVU's explosive vault showing in the second rotation was punctuated by a season high and career-best matching 9.95 from junior Kirah Koshinski. Prior to tonight's routine, Koshinski had scored 9.9 four times this year. She tied OU's Brenna Dowell, Anastasia Webb and Maggie Nichols for the event win.

Bernard finished in fifth place with the meet's second-highest score, and sophomore Julia Merwin finished in sixth place with a career-best 9.875. Tonight marks the second time in four meets Merwin has set a career high. Senior Zaakira Muhammad placed ninth with a 9.8, and junior Jaquie Tun added a 9.775.

"Robyn had a dynamic vault and created energy that forced the rest of the lineup to step up tonight," Doak said. "I'm so proud of the confidence that she is bringing to this event."

WVU continued to roll on floor, where six hit routines pushed the squad to its third-best score of the season. A trio of Mountaineers tied for fifth place, as Koshinski, Tun and sophomore Chloe Cluchey scored 9.85, the third-highest mark awarded tonight. The mark matches Tun's career high, first hit on March 3, 2016, and is a season best for Cluchey. Sophomore Erica Fontaine and senior Jordan Gillette added marks of 9.775 and tied for ninth place.

"I'm happy to see such a great floor rotation tonight," Doak added. "Our showmanship and our confidence in our tumbling is growing. This event has so much potential, and I think we are going to keep seeing it get better and better."

Nichols finished first on floor with a 9.95.

The Mountaineers clinched their big road score on balance beam in the fourth rotation. Needing three hit routines following a fall in the No. 3 lineup spot, a trio of WVU upperclassmen delivered. Junior Carly Galpin shone brightest, as she paced the Mountaineers and finished fifth overall with a career-high matching 9.875, marking the second straight week she has earned the score. Muhammad finished seventh with a 9.85, and Koshinski anchored the lineup with a 9.825 mark, good enough for eighth place. Freshman McKenna Linnen opened the rotation with a 9.775 score, and Gillette added a 9.7.

"We stayed calm under pressure tonight, and I couldn't be happier," said Doak. "They are hitting their routines with confidence and smiling through adversity. Another flawless routine from Carly, too."

Nichols tallied 9.975 for the beam victory.

The Mountaineers opened the meet on bars and were paced by Tun's seventh place, 9.75 showing. Bernard and Gillette tied for eighth place with 9.675s, and freshman Sydney Marler followed with a 9.65. Cluchey chipped in a 9.55.

Nichols also finished first on bars with a 9.95 score.

Nichols finished first overall with a 39.825 all-around mark. Muhammad placed fourth with a 38.45 total.

With the loss, WVU drops to 1-15 all-time against the Sooners.

The Mountaineers travel north to Pittsburgh next weekend for a tri-meet at Pitt with Penn State on Sunday, March 4, with action inside Fitzgerald Field House set to begin at 2 p.m.