The ASU gymnastics team, coming off a tough road trip to Stanford and Nebraska, looks to return to form on Senior Night this Friday against the University of Bridgeport.
This is the Gym Devils’ first home showing in three weeks as well as their last home competition of the season. Being back in Tempe will help them right the ship and achieve a higher score on Friday night than they have in the past two weeks.
“We need to keep our heads up high,” senior Carly McMahon said. “Coming back this weekend, we’re going to hopefully rebound to the 195 range to give us confidence heading into Pac-10s.”
The Gym Devils are rebounding nicely from the loss of junior Amanda Davies, who went down with an ankle injury last week in Lincoln, especially after the confidence that they persevered through the team’s other injuries this season.
“We’ve got to recuperate and figure out who we are going to put in on floor if Amanda’s not ready to go,” senior Brittany Schuett said. “I mean, our talent’s still there; Amanda was just one routine, and we got past the ACL injuries [to senior Mary Atkinson and sophomore Amelia Rew] so I’m pretty sure we can get past this, too. It’s just a matter of focusing.”
With the festivities surrounding Senior Night, as well as the presence of the men’s club squad at the meet, who is facing off against Temple, focus will be a top priority in the face of all the potential distractions.
“We know we are completely capable [of succeeding],” Schuett said. “We are on home turf again, and that’s where we tend to do best. Especially with our Senior Night, there’s going to be a lot of high energy, and because it’s also a dual meet with the boys, we’re going to have a lot of fans there.”
For the six senior Gym Devils, however, the night will be about a lot more than just putting up a new season-high score.
“I’ve been trying not to think about it the entire season,” Schuett said. “I can’t believe it’s almost done. It’s going to be a really emotional night and I just hope that I can finish the way that I want to, because this is kind of the end of the line for me.”
McMahon expressed similar sentiments about the looming finale to her collegiate career in Tempe.
“I’m excited and sad at the same time,” McMahon said. “It’s like a bittersweet night.”
ASU’S next competition will be the Pac-10 Championships in Los Angeles, which begin March 19.
Reach the reporter at kyle.j.newman@asu.edu
Friday’s dual
Purple Knights at Sun Devils
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
Bridgeport update: The Purple Knights season high score is just 192.45 and they haven’t competed at home since Feb. 25. Their last dual victory was on Feb. 12 over the US Air Force Academy.
