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West Virginia gymnastics team sweeps New Hampshire, Temple

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Three scores of 9.9 or better on floor exercise helped push the West Virginia gymnastics team to a first place, 196.025 showing in its home season opener Sunday.

The Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1) swept their competition, as New Hampshire finished second (195.125) and Temple finished third (191.925).

“It’s always great to be in the Coliseum, and I could just see it on their faces when they were walking in earlier today,” WVU coach Jason Butts said. “It’s like they haven’t been in the Coliseum before. They just love being here, and the crowd was great today. They were really getting into it, especially on the last rotation. We definitely love being at home, and we just appreciate everyone’s support. It definitely makes it easier for good gymnastics.”

West Virginia posted strong performances in its first rotation and never looked back, winning all four events and totaling season highs on three. The Mountaineers were victorious on vault with a matching season-high total of 48.9. WVU also scored season highs on the uneven bars (48.9) and floor exercise (49.475) events.

A WVU gymnast finished first on three events today, including a win on floor for senior Chloe Cluchey. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native collected her first 9.9 of the season, matching her career-high total of 9.925 in the event. She also tied for the vault win with classmate Julia Merwin and Temple’s Ariana Castrence, with each student-athlete notching 9.8 scores. Additionally, freshman Kianna Yancey posted a winning, 9.875 on bars, good for a career high.

“When you hit routines like that, and you see scores flashing like that, it’s fun,” Butts said. “It was an incredible day. As coaches, that’s why you do the job. You want to see them achieve their dreams and everything.”

Looking ahead, West Virginia will hit the road once again, as a trip to Washington, D.C., on Friday, pits the Mountaineers against George Washington and William & Mary.