NIU gymnastics: Amanda Stepp ends career at NCAA regionals

NIU gymnastics: Amanda Stepp ends career at NCAA regionals

By Steve Shonder

Senior Amanda Stepp scored 9.8 on vault in her final collegiate gymnastics appearance Saturday in Norman, Okla.

Stepp’s score was one-10th lower than her career-best 9.9, which she achieved twice during the regular season, mostly recently on March 15.

“Amanda did a great job,” said assistant coach Dawnita Teague. “She had a really good vault and she handled the pressures of regionals really well. Scoring a 9.8 is really great to get at a meet like regionals.”

Stepp finished tied for 22nd while the Oklahoma Sooners swept the top five spots on vault with five gymnasts scoring 9.875 or higher. Sooners freshman Ali Jackson won the event with a score of 9.95.

Oklahoma went on to win the regional title, scoring 197.625 to advance to nationals. The Oregon State Beavers, who placed second with a score of 196.75, also advanced to the National Championships.

In Stepp’s first appearance at the NCAA Regionals in 2014 she scored 9.775 on floor.