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Gym Dogs defeat Auburn for first home win

Jan 19, 2013 by Georgia Sports Communications

ATHENS, Ga.——- Senior Christa Tanella tied two career highs with 9.875s in both bars and floor to help 8th-ranked Georgia defeat No. 24 Auburn 196.05-195.7.

In this 76th meeting between the teams, the Gym Dogs (2-1, 2-0 SEC) maintained an undefeated record against the Tigers (0-5, 0-2 SEC) in Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia is now 73-3 all-time in competition against Auburn, with a 24-0 record in Athens.

“Winning at home in front of this crowd was an amazing experience,” said head coach Danna Durante. “It’s something I’ve been visualizing since I got here.”

Georgia opened the night with a 49.15 on vault, where senior Lindsey Cheek scored a 9.9 for the second week in a row. Sarah Persinger, Brittany Rogers and Brandie Jay all posted a 9.8 or higher. With Auburn’s 49.125 on bars, the Gym Dogs headed into the second rotation with the lead.

On bars, the Gym Dogs scored a 49.4, which matches Georgia’s highest score on the event since 2011. With a 9.95, sophomore Chelsea Davis tied her career high and posted the highest score for the Gym Dogs on bars. Tanella and Rogers both posted 9.875s, which set a career high for Rogers. After the second rotation, Georgia led Auburn 98.550-98.125.

The Tigers cut into the lead in the third rotation as they scored a 48.8 on floor. Georgia had to count a 9.225 and finished with a team score of 48.5 on beam. The Gym Dogs maintained a slight lead of 147.050-146.925 as they headed into the final rotation.

Georgia secured the win with a 49 on floor. Junior Kaylan Earls tied a career high and gave Georgia a strong start on floor with a 9.85. Persinger also tied a career high when she posted a 9.9, while Tanella and Jay both pulled in 9.875s.

“With energy from the team comes confidence, and with confidence comes good performance,” said Tanella. “If you can get the energy up, that confidence and performance is going to be there.”

The Gym Dogs will return to action on Monday against the 12th-ranked Stanford Cardinal in Stegeman Coliseum at 2 pm.

Team Results
1. Georgia – 196.050 (Vault – 49.15, Bars – 49.4, Beam – 48.5, Floor – 49.0)
2. Auburn – 195.700 (Vault – 49.0, Bars – 49.125, Beam – 48.775, Floor – 48.8)

Georgia’s Individual Results
Vault (49.15)
Chelsea Davis – 9.775; Sarah Persinger – 9.825; Lindsey Cheek – 9.9; Brittany Rogers – 9.85; Cat Hires – 9.725; Brandie Jay – 9.8

Bars (49.4)
Lindsey Cheek – 9.85; Cat Hires – 9.725; Christa Tanella – 9.875; Brittany Rogers – 9.875; Shayla Worley – 9.85; Chelsea Davis – 9.95

Beam (48.5)
Lindsey Cheek – 9.225; Christa Tanella – 9.75; Sarah Persinger – 9.825; Brittany Rogers – 9.275; Shayla Worley – 9.85; Kaylan Earls – 9.8

Floor (49.0)
Kaylan Earls – 9.85; Christa Tanella – 9.875; Cat Hires – 9.5; Sarah Persinger – 9.9; Brandie Jay – 9.875; Shayla Worley – 9.375

Tagged: uga gymnastics, gymdogs, ga bulldogs, georgia gymnastics, noel couch, shayla worley, danna durante