Daniel Kessler/The Falcon Senior Brianna Piedmonte hugs freshman Anissa Madrid after Madrid’s performance on the balance beam. Madrid earned a season-high score as well as a first place finish for the meet against the Air Force Academy.

SPU's gymnastics meet on Saturday pitted two sets of Falcons against each other, but the birds from Seattle beat the Air Force Academy (AFA) 187.250 to 186.550, marking their first win of the season.

"It was nice to win a meet. We still wish we had done better," head coach Laurel Tindall said. She said both teams had several falls, but SPU's team was able to score the highest. "The kids always like competing at home."

Fans filled Royal Brougham Pavilion holding signs with the names of SPU's gymnasts on them, while groups of young gymnasts ran around and cheered excitedly. Red-shirt freshman Kelli Bates said the atmosphere was a boost for the team.

Strong performances from senior Ashley Domres in every event and from freshman Brianna Steigauf on vault and floor were vital to Saturday's home victory, balancing out falls and poor landings both on the vault and beam.

Senior Ashley Domres finished second in the all-around competition with a 37.975 and placed first on the uneven bars with a score of 9.675. Additionally, Domres won second place in the balance beam and floor exercise events, earning a 9.550 and a 9.700, respectively. Domres beamed most in her floor exercise routine, giving the home crowd a big smile after finishing.

Freshman Brianna Steigauf tied for third with AFA's Rogers on vault, earning a 9.475. Steigauf also shined in the floor exercise, which has been a solid event for her in the last few meets. Dramatic music played as she danced and tumbled her way to a 9.650, landing just behind Domres in third place.

The uneven bars proved to be a strong event for the SPU Falcons, as they had two top finishes in addition to Domres'. Junior Brianna Schwartz and senior Christie Chinaka placed second and third place, respectively. Schwartz earned a 9.625 and Chinaka tied for third with AFA's Rogers and Michelle Denise, all three of them earning a 9.600.

"We did really well on bars on Saturday. We hit all but one routine," Bates said.

Tracy Smith, an SPU junior, took the first place position on the vault with her 9.600. Many of SPU's gymnasts struggled to get solid landings in this event. Her routine drew loud cheers from spectators and teammates alike.

"Tracy's vault was definitely a big improvement for her," Tindall said.

SPU struggled on beam in previous meets, as only two gymnasts were able to stay on. They still had a couple of falls and wobbles this time around, but two women finished in the top three. In addition to Domres, freshman Anissa Madrid won first place with a 9.625.

Though AFA's Abbey Rogers gathered five top-three finishes in the meet, including a first place finish in the all-around competition, Bates said the Falcons have been working hard to make small changes and to come together as a team.

"It's . . . been a lot of fun. It's definitely been a challenge, but the more I compete the more I love it," Bates said of the season so far.

Tindall said the team needs the most improvement on floor and beam. Freshman Jennifer Lehman sprained her ankle last week in practice after falling off the beam, and Tindall said she might be out until conference competition. Lehman has been a solid floor competitor, Tindall said.

"Consistency, we need to work on that. We need to get more confidence in our floor routines and tumbling passes," Bates said. "We're really trying to keep everyone positive and motivated. We need to make the most of our time in the gym."

Bates said nationals, which is five meets away, is on their minds, but that they are still focusing on every meet as it comes.

"If we hit our routines, we'll make it," Bates said of postseason competition. "Making really small adjustments can help the overall score of the team."

The SPU Falcons are set to compete against Boise State University, Southern Utah University, and University of California, Davis on Friday in Boise, Idaho. They have faced both Southern Utah and UC Davis, but this will be their first meet against Boise State this season.