Esposito and Carey Shine in All-Around Performances Against UCLA

Friday, February 9

Corvallis, OR

8:00 PM

Oregon State

196.700

197.425

UCLA

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

Esposito and Carey Shine in All-Around Performances Against UCLA

February 09, 2024 | Women's Gymnastics

Beavers return to action against Stanford next weekend.

By: Athletic Communications

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 18^th-ranked Oregon State gymnastics team was in action Friday night, hosting No. 8 UCLA at Gill Coliseum in a meet that finished 197.425-196.700 in favor of the visitors. The result puts OSU's season record at 6-4 with a home matchup against Stanford slated for next weekend.

OSU began the meet on vault, with Sophia Esposito's 9.90 mark leading the six Beavers to compete in the event. Jade Carey posted a 9.875 while Natalie Briones and Kaitlin Garcia both finished with a score of 9.825, while Sage Thompson's 9.75 rounded out a 49.175 total for the first rotation.

Up next were the bars, where several Beavers excelled. Thompson posted a 9.95 thanks to a perfect 10.0 from judge two, coming within one-fifth of a point of her career-high 10.0 that was recorded last season. Carey was given a 9.925 for her effort while Jennifer McMillan's 9.875 tied a career-high mark, set last week during OSU's meet at Utah. Esposito (9.825) and Briones (9.775) rounded out Oregon State's bar rotation that finished with a 49.350 team score.

Rotation three was spent on the balance beam, with got off to a solid start with a 9.85 from Esposito. Buckner followed with a 9.425 before McMillan posted a 9.725 in the three spot; Ariana Young finished her routine with a 9.825 before Carey rounded out the third rotation with a 9.90. Heading into the final rotation, OSU trailed UCLA 147.250-148.175.

Garcia opened up the final rotation with a 9.875 before Savannah Miller, making her fourth appearance this season in the floor exercise, finished her routine with a 9.850. Karlie Chavez continued the momentum with yet another 9.85 before Esposito posted a career-best 9.95 in the four spot, earning a roar of praise from the 5,021 fans in attendance. Young (9.85) and Carey (9.925) rounded out a 49.450 final round.

When all the scores were finalized UCLA would take the dual, finishing with a 197.425-196.700 advantage.

Thompson's 9.95 on bars would tie with UCLA's Selena Harris for the event title while Esposito and UCLA's Brooklyn Moors tied on floor exercise with a 9.95. Competing in her first all-around event, Esposito posted a 39.525 to finish just behind Carey, whose first all-around appearance of the season culminated in a 39.625, which was second to the Bruins' Harris, who posted a 39.750

OSU will be back in action at Gill Coliseum next weekend, hosting Stanford on Saturday. Start time for that matchup is slated for 11 a.m.