The Barometer Online

Issue date: 1/20/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Curtis Barnard Junior Laura-Ann Chong scored a 9.825 on the balance beam. Chong's score earned her second place individually on the event in OSU's victory over Arkansas and California.

On Friday night inside of Legendary Gill Coliseum, a victory hung in the balance of the smallest of margins and rested upon the shoulders of then-No.13 Oregon State's final routine.

While most gymnasts choose not to check scores and add extra pressure upon themselves, junior Mandi Rodriguez was well aware that the night came down to her performance on the floor. A score of 9.95 was needed from the Baldwin Park, Calif. native to earn a tie with then-No. 5 Arkansas.

"Most people don't look at the scores," Rodriguez said. "It kind of motivates me, though, to know how we are doing. I knew it was really close and knew our floor team had to get it done."

Rodriguez stepped on the floor executing a nearly perfect routine, sticking landings on her tumbling passes on her way to receiving high marks from the judges. One judge rewarded Rodriguez's performance with a perfect 10.00 while the second determined a score of 9.95. The scores earned Rodriguez first place on the floor exercise with a score of 9.975 and secured Oregon State's 195.950-195.925 victory over the Gym'backs.

Up until the floor exercise, OSU and Arkansas were in a two-team race leaving the third team Cal behind with a final score of 185.250. Oregon State took the lead after the first rotation, scoring a 49.050 on the vault. Rodriguez sprinted down the runway and, after launching herself into the air, stuck the landing earning a 9.900, earning a tie for first on the event with Arkansas' Michelle Stout.

"Overall, we did really well as a team and pulled together after each event," Rodriguez said. "We just kind of remained in our bubble and knew what we needed to do and got it done. It is a great score for the third meet of the year."

Senior Jami Lanz took a slight step on the landing earning a 9.85 placing her in one of many ties on the night with former club teammate Casey Jo Magee of Arkansas. Finishing eighth in the event, sophomore Becky Colvin's 9.725 proved big for OSU as an inquiry from head coach Tanya Chaplin bumped Colvin's score up and potentially pushed Oregon State above the Gym'backs at the end of the night.

Continued...

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