Aggies improve to 3-0 standings during the 2023-2024 season
By LUCIENNE BROOKER — sports@theaggie.org
The UC Davis gymnastics team continued their strong start to the season with two victories over Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Jan. 19 and 21. A long but rewarding weekend for the Aggies, the team dominated against the Seawolves while boosting their season stats. The two wins extend their winning streak to three following a season-opening win over rivals Sacramento State.
The Aggies traveled all the way to Anchorage to face the Seawolves on their home turf. The Aggies had to brave harsh weather conditions as temperatures were in the negatives for their entire trip, with light snow on the side. Despite the intense weather, the Aggies touched down in Anchorage and immediately started to dominate in their first meet against the Seawolves.
Finishing with a total score of 195.125 points, the Aggies triumphed over the Seawolves’ mere score of 186.250 points. The Seawolves put up a good fight against the Davis team as this was their first meet of the season, however, the Aggies came prepared for the meet with numerous training hours and one prior meet that ultimately gave them the upper hand.
Starting out the competition on the bars, several Davis gymnasts set or tied their personal best scores. As one of the best performances of the meet, second-year landscape architect major, Amelia Moneymaker scored a team-high 9.850. Additionally, on the vault, junior neurobiology, physiology and behavior major Keanna Abraham set the standard with a stellar score of 9.850.
As the meet moved on to floor routines, Abraham again scored a 9.850, continuing to lead against the other team. The Aggies closed out the meet on the beam, and Abraham once again finished first, scoring 9.875. A truly dynamic athlete, Abraham sprang into action this meet and became one of the highest-scoring competitors of the meet. Similarly, Moneymaker also claimed a strong performance as she had the highest all-around score of the meet with a total of 39.025 points. Heading into their rest day, UC Davis was feeling confident after their win.
The Aggies and Seawolves faced off again two days later on Jan. 21 after a much-needed two-day rest. This time the SeaWolves were looking for revenge for their loss on Friday and came out fierce from the get-go. Nevertheless, it again was not enough to take the win away from the Aggies who came out on top. Both teams improved their overall scores, with Davis scoring 195.300 and Alaska Anchorage finishing with 191.050. Opening on the bars, first-year undecided major Ayumi Oshiro recorded a 9.825 for the team’s high score.
The vaulting event saw a tie between fourth-year design major Emma Otsu and third-year psychology major Megan Ray, who both scored a 9.800. Furthering her point show, Ray recorded another tie on floor as she and Moneymaker both scored a 9.850.
As the final event from the meet, the beam proved to be the best event of the day. Continuing with the Davis tying streak, Abraham and Oshiro tied for first with a score of 9.875. Excellent performances from the Aggie team led to their decisive victory, adding to their season consecutive winning streak. With a 38.700, Emma Otsu recorded the team-high for all-around score and the Aggies flew back to Davis in high spirits and ready for their next meet.
Next up, the Aggies will face off against Gustavus Adolphus College at the University Credit Union Center. The Gusties have lost their only meet of the season, so they’ll be looking to turn their luck around against the Aggies and prove to be tough competition. Nonetheless, the Aggies are still favored to win the meet on their home turf.
Written by: Lucienne Brooker — sports@theaggie.org
