Stanford Edged Out by Arizona State

Women's gynastics surrenders lead to Sun Devils.

Jan. 23, 1998

TEMPE, Ariz.--The No. 11 ranked Stanford women's gymnastics team, leading after three events, was edged out by Arizona State Friday, 194.275-192.775, before a crowd of 1,238 at the University Activity Center.

After three events, the Devils faced a 146.375-145.525 deficit, due largely impart to the Cardinal, who had a large number of gymnasts set season- and career-benchmarks on the evening.

The Devils and Cardinal each went separate directions in their final event, the floor and balance beam respectively. By the end of the rotation, four Stanford gymnasts had fallen on their beam routine, while ASU saw three of its gymnasts --freshman Kristin Fanning (9.725), and sophomores Elizabeth McNabb (9.900) and Elizabeth Reid (9.950) -- post season highs. McNabb's 9.950 was good enough to secure first place in the event.

The Devils sputtered through their first three -- vault, bars and beam -- events, having to count a fall in the bars and beam events. Keeping the Devils in the match was sophomore and Gilbert, Ariz., native Amy Shelton, who nailed her vault and bars routines, scoring a 9.8 and 9.9 respectively. The former gave her first place in the vault while the latter was good enough for second. Also lending a hand to keep the Devils afloat was Reid, who recorded a 9.9 in the beam and winning the event.

Leading Stanford's cause was junior all-arounder and co-captain Amy Murakami, who had the night's highest mark in the all-around with a 38.650. Murakami also won the bars competition (9.925). Finishing second to Murakami in the all-around was teammate and co-captain Keri Monahan (38.500), who was the only other all-around competitor. Monahan also tied Shelton for first place in the vault competition (9.8).

Arizona State, who won its eighth straight home meet, moves its record to 6-1, while the Cardinal drops to 0-2.