Williams boosts strong showing in Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Senior Courtney Williams earned a career-high all-around score Sunday and the Alaska Anchorage gymnastics team had a strong outing despite finishing third in a tri-meet at the Show-Me Center.

UAA posted its second-best total of the season with 189.850 points to place behind 18th-ranked Missouri (196.200) and host Southeast Missouri (194.575). All-American Sarah Shire led the Tigers to the victory with an impressive 39.675 all-around.

The Seawolves were at their best on floor exercise with a 48.600 total, tying the No. 4 score in school history. Williams, from Corpus Christi, Texas, equaled her career-high with a 9.675, while Kelsey Fullerton did the same with a 9.825. Sophomores Kaelei Spoor (9.75) and Shakea Sanders (9.775) also sprung big routines, while senior Meagan Byrne easily surpassed her career high with a 9.575.

Spoor provided the other highlight of the meet for UAA, tying for third place on beam with a 9.75, trailing only Shire (9.925) and Mizzou's Mary Burke (9.85).

Williams also scored a 9.55 on vault, a 9.65 on bars and a 9.6 on beam to earn a 38.475 total, bettering her previous mark by 0.200.

Senior Lauren Agostino led the Seawolves with a 9.65 on vault, while Missouri native Maria Puricelli was right behind Williams on bars with a 9.625.

The Seawolves return home next week for a pair of home meets – Friday, Mar. 12 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, Mar. 14 (2 p.m.) – against Air Force at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. Friday's meet will feature a free, live internet videostream and be re-broadcast locally on KCFT Ch. 35 (GCI cable 19).

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Players Mentioned

Lauren Agostino: 5' 1"; Sophomore

Meagan Byrne: 5' 0"; Freshman

Courtney Williams: 5' 8"; Freshman

Kelsey Fullerton: 5' 3"; Freshman

Maria Puricelli: 5' 3"; Freshman

Shakea Sanders: 5' 5"; Freshman

Kaelei Spoor: 4' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Lauren Agostino
: 5' 1"; Sophomore

Meagan Byrne
: 5' 0"; Freshman

Courtney Williams
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Kelsey Fullerton
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Maria Puricelli
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Shakea Sanders
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Kaelei Spoor
: 4' 10"; Freshman