Gym Devils advance to Salt Lake Regional final

Jay and Jessica Santos had to feel confidence in their team despite heading into the final rotation outside of the top two. Arizona State needed a solid vault result to leap over Boise State for a spot in Saturday’s Salt Lake Regional finals. The Sun Devils delivered.

Hannah Scharf’s 9.900, the best score on vault from the early session of the regional, helped keep ASU’s season alive, as her team scored a 49.250 on vault to secure a chance to reach the NCAA Championships.

Here were the full results from Friday:

No. 6 Utah - 197.500

No. 11 Arizona State - 196.600

Southern Utah - 195.975

Boise State - 195.825

Scharf, who finished second in the all-around and also had the highest floor score, showed the nation that she truly deserved her All-American recognition.

She showed up for her team when they needed her the most and the Sun Devils’ ability to perform in the biggest moment allowed them to advance.

Arizona State also benefitted from Boise State having two participants fall off the balance beam in the final event for the Broncos.

Beam pushed ASU against the wall in their uphill climb. None of Arizona State’s gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher in the event and the only one team didn’t score at least a 49.250.

The Santos’ squad brushed it off and did well in floor and vault to give themselves a chance. Everyone on floor scored a 9.800 or higher, including Scharf’s 9.925.

Cairo Leonard-Baker had a 9.825 in all three of her events, including a season- and session-high 9.950 on bars.

Utah and Arizona State await the results from the night session of the Salt Lake Regional that includes No. 3 LSU, No. 14 Kentucky, Arizona and Utah State, to see who will also compete in the regional final

The two best scores from tomorrow’s final will advance to the NCAA Championships on April 16-17.