Georgia Scores 196.200 in Win Over NC State

Saturday, January 6

Athens, Ga.

3:45 p.m.

University of Georgia

196.200

194.225

NC State

January 06, 2024 | Gymnastics

ATHENS, Ga.— The University of Georgia gymnastics team secured a home victory to open the season against NC State, 196.200-194.225, on Saturday afternoon in Stegeman Coliseum.

The GymDogs were led by freshman Ady Wahl's all-around event title in her first career meet. Four freshmen competed 10 routines in their Georgia debuts. Lily Smith scored a nearly perfect 9.975 for her bars routine and Anya Turner led the charge on beam with a 9.875.

"The biggest thing is that we had a hard loss in our warm-up with Haley de Jong getting injured," head coach Courtney Kupets-Carter said. "I'm not going to lie, it was really difficult for me to watch one of your athletes go down, but to see everyone rally in our warm-up round, not just around her, but in general. A fire that was lit inside of them just inspired me throughout the competition. It was really encouraging to see how much they love each other and the sport. Our message was that it was a hard day, but we pushed through and got it done. There are things to work on for sure. We threw some athletes in there without the experience or the work that we would've wanted in the gym before going out to compete, but we came out with lots of wins today."

The GymDogs began the competition on vault, where graduate Amanda Cashman led the rotation with a solid 9.800. Senior Katie Finnegan vaulted a team-best 9.850 in her 36^th career routine. Overall, Georgia posted a 48.975.

In her first career event, freshman Lily Smith anchored bars for the team and earned the event title with a nearly perfect 9.975. JaFree Scott earned a 9.875 while Ady Wahl notched a 9.800, helping Georgia swing to a 49.175 in the event. Heading into the third rotation, the GymDogs had built a 98.150-97.750 advantage.

Continuing onto balance beam, the team performed to a collective score of 49.100, led by a 9.875 from freshman Anya Turner. Sophomore Sydney Fitzgerald posted a career-best 9.850 in her fourth time performing on the event, while freshman Jaydah Battle matched that score.

The energy continued onto the floor, where the GymDogs finished with a score of 48.950. Graduate Ashlyn La Clair led the rotation with a 9.800. Smith and Wahl rounded out the event, both posting 9.825 in their debuts. In total, Georgia outscored NC State in three of the four events.

Up next, Georgia will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to take on the Razorbacks inside Bud Walton Arena on Friday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. ET. The GymDogs competed against Arkansas twice last season, averaging a score of 196.7375 between the two meets.

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FINAL RESULTS
GEORGIA: 196.200 (VT- 48.975, UB- 49.175, BB- 49.100, FX- 48.950)
NC STATE: 194.225 (VT- 49.025, UB- 48.725, BB- 47.775, FX- 48.770)

VAULT-
Amanda Cashman: 9.800
Ashlyn La Clair: 9.750
Jaydah Battle: 9.800
Katie Finnegan: 9.850
Ady Wahl: 9.775

BARS-
Amanda Cashman: 9.200
Sidney Fitzgerald: 9.750
Ady Wahl: 9.800
Katie Finnegan: 9.775
JaFree Scott: 9.875
Lily Smith: 9.975

BEAM-
Ady Wahl: 9.775
Jaydah Battle: 9.850
Sidney Fitzgerald: 9.850
Anya Turner: 9.875
Lily Smith: 9.750
JaFree Scott: 9.250

FLOOR-
Ashlyn La Clair: 9.800
Eryn Williams: 9.725
Sidney Fitzgerald: 9.775
Amanda Cashman: 9.500
Lily Smith: 9.825
Ady Wahl: 9.825