ANCHORAGE – Sophomores
Alyssa Manley and
Montana Fairbairn produced individual victories and the Alaska Anchorage gymnastics team earned a season-high 190.300 team score Friday in a narrow dual-meet loss to William & Mary at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The Seawolves (0-6) got a 9.775 from Manley on uneven bars and a career-best 9.725 from Fairbairn on vault as they also earned team season highs on floor exercise (48.400) and bars (46.825).
The Tribe (1-4) were led by Michelle Ngo's meet-best 9.8 on floor and a winning 9.75 on beam from Caroline Blatchford, helping the visitors from Williamsburg, Va., to a season-high team score of 190.475.
"We were much more consistent on beam and floor than we have been thus far, and we managed to do fairly well on vault despite being really shorthanded tonight," said UAA head coach
Marie-Sophie Boggasch. "We're very pleased to get over the 190 mark and get a few career highs, and we'll keep aiming for improvement as we try to get a little healthier."
After trailing throughout the meet, the Seawolves came just short in a comeback attempt in the final rotation, getting a career-high 9.775 from junior
Mackenzie Robinson and 9.75s from Manley and
Rachel Decious on floor.
Decious also finished runner-up on beam with a 9.725, and freshman
Paola Ruano Barahona had a breakout performance with a 9.6 on bars and a third-place 9.675 on beam.
Manley's victory was her second of the season and fourth of her career, while Fairbairn topped the podium for the first time as a collegian.
The Seawolves and Tribe meet for a rematch Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center. Fans are encouraged to wear black to match the Seawolves' leotards, and special 'Senior Day' ceremonies are scheduled before the meet. Surf to GoSeawolves.com for tickets and links to live video and scores.