March 2, 2007

TEMPE, Ariz.--Senior April Boone scored the nation's first 10.0 on balance beam as Arizona State University defeated the University of Washington, 196.525-194.45, in women's gymnastics Friday at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

On a career-high night for several Sun Devils, their team score of 49.575 on beam was the highest recorded on beam thus far in the nation. Six Sun Devils scored career-highs. Senior April Boone won the all-around with a season-high 39.475, the highest all-around score for a Sun Devil this season. Finishing second in the all-around was Natalie Gillan of Washington with a 37.875. Ashley Houghting placed third for the Huskies with a 39.425. ASU's Nicole Harris came in fourth with a 39.225 and senior Cassandra Jusino placed fifth with a 39.000. The crowd of 2,008 was the largest crowd at Wells Fargo Arena since 2001.

The Sun Devils started the competition on vault scoring a 48.85. Harris took second with a 9.875. Jusino recorded a season-high 9.85 for a tie for third place with Nikki Waiss of the Huskies. Boone earned a solid 9.8. Ashlee Hinkle scored a 9.775 and Vanessa Rocca and Kaitlynn Bormann each recorded a 9.55. The Huskies finished with a 48.8 on the event.

The second event for the Devils earned them a season-high on bars with a 49.075. Tiana Jean placed first with a career-high 9.875. Harris tied her season-high, in a three-way tie for second, with a score of 9.85. Coming in fifth was Jusino with a 9.825. Also recording a career-high on bars was Ashley Toner with a 9.775. Seniors Boone and Lisa Lanza each recorded a 9.75. The Huskies scored a 48.9.

On the beam, Boone scored a perfect 10.0 to place first. Boone's 10.0 was the first perfect score on beam in the nation, as well as a career-high. Jusino scored a career-high with a 9.95 placing second in the event. Hinkle and Toner each garnered career-highs with 9.9. It was Toner's second career-high of the night. Jean also earned her second career-high with a score of 9.825. The Huskies scored a 47.925.

In the final event for the Devils, Boone tied for first with Ashley Houghting of Washington with a score of 9.925. Harris recorded a career-high on the event with a 9.9 and finished third. Hinkle came in fourth with a 9.775. Jean scored a 9.725 and Toner finished with a 9.7. The Huskies scored a 48.825 on floor.

The Sun Devils travel west to take on Cal-State Fullerton on Sunday March 11th, at 2:00 p.m. PT. They return home on March 16th to compete against Arkansas in the first annual "Flip for the Cure".

--www.thesundevils.com--