Jan. 6, 2007

Athens, Ga - The eighth-ranked Stanford women's gymnastics team began the 2007 season by traveling to two-defending NCAA champion Georgia. Georgia is ranked No. 1 in the pre-season, and the Bulldogs showed their strength with a 197.375-194.600 victory over the Cardinal on Saturday before a crowd of 9,002 fans.

Stanford had several excellent season-opening performances. Liz Tricase, one of the top gymnasts on Bars last year, displayed she will be a contender for top national honors with a first place performances of 9.925.

On Beam, sophomore Heather Purnell, a member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic team, finished third with an effort of 9.850. Purnell finished the day with a fourth place finish in the All-Around (39.025). Another third place performance was picked by freshman Carly Janiga on Floor Exercise (9.850). Tabitha Yim, a seven-time All-American, finished fourth.

Stanford returns to action on Monday, January 15, at fifth-ranked UCLA.

Final Team Results
Team Score - Georgia 197.375, Stanford 194.600
Vault - Georgia 49.350, Stanford 48.675
Bars - Georgia 49.500, Stanford 49.175
Beam - Georgia 49.325, Stanford 48.350
Floor Exercise - Georgia 49.200, Stanford 48.400

Final Individual Results
All-Around - 1. Katie Heenan (G) 39.550; 2. Tiffany Tolnay (G) 39.325; 3. Kelsey Ericksen (G) 39.125; 4. Heather Purnell (S) 39.025; 5. Carly Janiga (S) 38.950; 6. Tabitha Yim (S) 38.700

Bars - 1. Liz Tricase (S) 9.925; 1. Kelsey Ericksen (G) 9.925; 1. Courtney Kupets (G) 9.925; 6. Tabitha Yim (S) 9.925; 6. Tabitha Yim (S) 9.875; 8. Kelly Fee (S) 9.825; 9. Carly Janiga (S) 9.800; 11. Heather Purnell (S) 9.750; 12. Nicole Ourada (S) 9.350

Beam - 1. Courtney Kupets (G) 9.975; 2. Courtney McCool (G) 9.900; 3. Heather Purnell (S) 9.850; 3. Tiffany Tolnay (G) 9.850; 7. Lauren Elmore (S) 9.750; 8. Carly Janiga (S) 9.600; 8. Aimee Precourt (S) 9.600; 10. Kelly Fee (S) 9.550; 12. Tabitha Yim (S) 9.175

Floor Exercise - 1. Kelsey Ericksen (G) 9.950; 2. Katie Heenan (G) 9.925; 3. Carly Janiga (S) 9.850; 4. Tabitha Yim (S) 9.825; 5. Alex Pintchouk (S) 9.800; 9. Heather Purnell (S) 9.725; 10. Kelly Fee (S) 9.200; 10. Nicole Ourada (S) 9.200

Vault - 1. Katie Heenan (G) 9.925; 2. Marcia Newby (G) 9.875; 3. Kelsey Ericksen (G) 9.875; 5. Tabitha Yim (S) 9.825; 8. Nicole Ourada (S) 9.750; 9. Heather Purnell (S) 9.700; 9. Carly Janiga (S) 9.700; 9. Stephanie Gentry (S) 9.700; 12. Blair Ryland (S) 9.675