Gymdogs Finish Sixth at NCAA Championships

Saturday, April 16

Fort Worth, Texas

9:00 PM

University of Georgia

NCAA Super Six

Mary Beth Box matched Ashlyn Broussard with 9.9125s on beam to lead Georgia.

April 17, 2016 | Gymnastics

Georgia gymnastics highlights from the NCAA Super Six Championships including interviews following the meet.

April 17, 2016

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FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Georgia gymnastics team wrapped its season with a 196.8125 at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, finishing sixth at the Super Six in front of 8,338 fans at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The NCAA title went to Oklahoma, while LSU took runner-up honors. Alabama came in third, followed by Florida then UCLA to round out the top five.

"People counted us out all year," said Georgia head coach Danna Durante. "This team never doubted. This staff never doubted this team. We always believed in them. To be able to surpass what people thought we could do, even though it's really about what we believe we can do, to be able to put some of those things to rest and go `this is what happens when you keep moving, this is what happens when you keep fighting, this is what happens when you just stay the course,' and we finish sixth in the nation it's exciting. It's a great moment for us."

In Georgia's return to the Super Six after a year's absence, the Gymdogs took their highest road score on beam of the season with a 49.3625. This was Georgia's third Super Six appearance in the past four years, and it was the final performance for seniors Mary Beth Box, Brandie Jay and Brittany Rogers as Gymdogs.

"Brandie said (to her teammates) `I hope you've seen we've given you everything we've had,'" said Georgia head coach Danna Durante. "I feel like this senior class was so good about investing in their team - not just developing themselves, which they did - but in developing their team so that when they leave there's not a hole. These seniors really invested in their teammates and know they'll carry this program forward."

The Gymdogs started on bars and posted a 9.1875. Jay took the high score with a 9.9 to lead Georgia. Natalie Vaculik also stood out with a 9.8625, but the Gymdogs trailed the rest of the pack by a narrow margin after one.

Georgia then crushed its beam set, posting its highest score of the season outside of Stegeman Coliseum with a 49.3625. The Gymdogs were paced by Ashlyn Broussard and Mary Beth Box who posted twin 9.9125s to spur UGA to the top of the leaderboard at 98.55 through two rotations.

"I was really excited about beam," added Durante. "That was our struggle all year, and for them to put it together the last six weeks and have our highest score (on the road) with six judges, on podium, at nationals - unbelievable. That was the message after that event - this is who we are."

After a bye, the Gymdogs returned to floor and claimed a 49.05 as a group. Georgia was led by Jay once again, as the senior showed off a fantastic routine that got a 9.8875 from the judges. Gigi Marino followed with a 9.85 of her own, and at the end of the rotation Georgia was in third among the field.

In their final rotation, the Gymdogs added 49.2125 to their score. Sydney Snead and Brittany Rogers paced Georgia with 9.85s, and national vault champion Jay took a 9.825 in her final vault as a Gymdog.

For all the latest on Georgia gymnastics, follow the team on Twitter (@UGAGymnastics), Instagram (@ugagymnastics) and on Facebook (Georgia Gymdogs), and keep checking in to georgiadogs.com.

Final Standings