Georgia Wins Ninth NCAA Title

The University of Georgia won its fourth consecutive team title Friday night at the Women's NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.

The host team defeated cross-country rival Utah by .325. Stanford University finished third, .05 ahead of Florida. Georgia is now tied with Utah with nine team titles overall.

Georgia won its fourth consecutive NCAA team title

"I can't say enough about this team," Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan said. "They just get it. They know what it takes to win at the highest level and under extreme pressure, and proved that again tonight."

Yoculan noted that seniors Audrey Bowers, Nikki Childs, Megan Dowlen and Katie Heenan have now won the national title each year of their collegiate careers.

"Not many athletes in any sport get to accomplish that, but these girls have deserved everything they've gotten," Yoculan said. "They are the kind of gymnasts that make being a coach worth it."

Heenan's fall on bars in the third rotation was the only break from Georgia, but she also brought the team's highest mark with 9.950 on both beam and floor exercise. The team's lowest counting score was a 9.750 on vault.

"When we first came here, we didn't know what we were getting into," Heenan said. "It has been a great ride and I think tonight was a culmination of all four years. I think we left there tonight without a doubt in anyone's mind that we should have won. This is what we have all dreamed of and we accomplished it. It's been amazing."

2008 Women's NCAA Championships
April 25, Athens, Ga.

Super Six Team Final
1. Georgia 197.450
2. Utah 197.125
3. Stanford 196.750
4. Florida 196.700
5. LSU 196.350
6. Alabama 196.125