Huss Crowned All-Around National Champion As Falcon Gymnasts Advance to Team Finals at USAG Meet
April 14, 2005

ITHACA, N.Y. (Apr. 14)—Debra Huss compiled 38.875 over four events to win a national championship in the all-around competition to lead Seattle Pacific University into team finals as the Falcons scored 191.550 in finishing behind leader UC Davis (193.550) at the USA Gymnastics National Championships Thursday evening in Ithaca, N.Y.

Debra Huss won the national championship in the all-around competition at the USA Gymnastics National Championships. File photo by Joanie Komura

The top four finishers advanced to Friday night’s team finals at Teagle Gymnasium. Rutgers finished third with 191.275 and Texas Woman’s was fourth with 190.450. Top seed and defending national champ Centenary (La.), was edged out of team finals, finishing with a disappointing 190.425.

Huss (So., Orangevale, Ca.) scored 9.525 on vault, 9.750 on the uneven bars, 9.775 on the balance beam and hit a 9.825 on floor en route to her national crown. The last Seattle Pacific athlete to be named National Champion in the all-around was Deni Boswell in 1998. Air Force’s Jessica Liegl had a strong showing in second place with 38.650. The finish marked Huss’ second All-America accolade in as many years; the sophomore was named All-American on floor exercise in 2004.

As a team, the Falcons began competition with a 47.575 on the uneven bars. Next, SPU negotiated a 47.450 on balance beam before dancing its highest team total on the night on floor with 48.850. Seattle Pacific launched 47.675 on vault.

Individually, the top eight athletes on each event qualify for event finals on Saturday night. Huss earnd marks good enough to represent SPU on bars, beam and floor exercise while Sullivan flipped an individual qualification on floor.

Corrie McDaniel (Sr., Lawrence, Ks.) is slated to compete Saturday night on beam and floor and Jaynie Reynolds (Jr., White Rock, B.C.) will swing bars. McDaniel boasts two All-America accolades already, as does Reynolds. Another All-American, Kari Kelly (Sr., Yakima, Wa.), will vault.

Seattle Pacific has finished among the nation’s top four teams in Division II in 20 of the last 21 seasons, having narrowly missed team finals in 2004. Official start time Friday is 4PM, PDT.