Gymnasts Place Third at Regionals
April 10, 1999
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Megan Murphy-Barcroft and Lara Degenhardt will advance to the NCAA Championships in Salt Lake City, but they will be competing without the rest of their teammates as the Beavers placed third at the Region 1 Championships on Saturday.
Only the top two teams at each regional advance to the national meet. UCLA won the Region 1 meet with a 197.025, and Utah placed second at 196.425. The Beavers scored a 194.875 to place third, despite having to count a fall on beam and a stumble on floor.
"We knew we had to hit to go to Salt Lake City, and we didn't have our best night tonight. But, I am very proud of this team and what they accomplished this season," said coach Tanya Chaplin.
Degenhardt and Murphy-Barcroft tied for first on floor with 9.925 scores, and as a result of the victory, the duo will advance to the NCAA Championships as individual qualifiers on the event. Murphy-Barcroft will also compete on vault at the national competition after placing first on that event with a 9.875 score.
"Its kind of a bittersweet moment. I'm happy that I can go and represent Oregon State, but it's hard to go as an individual," said Murphy-Barcroft, who also went as an individual qualifier last year. "Im glad Lara is going too."
Corrie Young just missed a trip to Salt Lake as well. She tied her career-high with 9.925 that was the meets top score until Utahs Theresa Kulikowski and Shannon Bowles scored 9.95s on their final event.
Danae Phillips led the Beavers with a 9.85 on bars, and several other Beavers scored a 9.80 or better on various events. Katrina Severin turned in a 9.85 on beam, and Annette Taylor scored a 9.825 on the same event. Stephanie Bychowski added a 9.80 on bars, and Jerra Lopez scored a 9.85 on floor.
OSU assistant coach Michael Chaplin was named the Region 1 co-Assistant Coach of the Year, along with Washingtons Dana Durante. Sacramento State coach Kim Hughes was named the Region 1 Coach of the Year after taking his team to regionals for the first time in school history.
