DENTON, Tx. (Apr. 19)-Kristen Strid swung a 9.850 uneven bar routine to tie with Texas Woman's Stephanie Loudat for first place in the women's event finals at the USA Gymnastics National Championships Saturday evening at Kitty Magee Arena.

By virtue of her top finish, Strid (Sr., Kingsburg, Ca.) becomes Seattle Pacific's 17th individual champion and the first in five years. Deni Boswell captured both the all-around and uneven bars in '98. Temple's Paige Ozaroski swung third place, earning a 9.800.

Strid will graduate a three-time All-American as she earned honors on bars as a freshman and on beam as a junior.

A pair of Falcon vaulters earned All-America status as well. Rachael Anderson (Sr., Yakima, Wa.) launched a 9.662 bronze finish and Kari Kelly (So., Yakima, Wa.) finished fifth with 9.400. UC Davis' Lynn Schwaebe won the vault with 9.762 and Texas Woman's Lucy Romberg finished second (9.737).

Air Force's Allison Todd and Laura Frank finished one-two on balance beam with 9.850 and 9.825, respectively. Loudat finished third.

On floor exercise, Tiffany Chan danced a 9.900 to win and was followed by Romberg, Todd, Centenary's Sarah Racioppi and Temple's Cicely Warrington (tie, 9.850).

Seattle Pacific's Corrie McDaniel (So., Lawrence, Ks.) did not compete. The sophomore finished fifth in Thursday's all-around final to earn All-America accolades.

EVENT RESULTS:

VAULT: 1) Schwaebe, UCD, 9.762; 2) Rombert, TWU, 9.737; 3) Anderson, SPU, 9.662.

BARS: 1) (tie) Strid, SPU, Loudat, TWU, 9.850; 3) Ozaroski, TU, 9.800.

BEAM: 1) Todd, USAF, 9.850; 2) Frank, USAF, 9.825; 3) Loudat, TWU, 9.800.

FLOOR: 1) Chan, UCD, 9.900; 2) (tie) Romberg, TWU, Todd, USAF, Racioppi, CU, Warrington, TU, 9.850.