Feb. 12, 2013

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Arizona gymnast Jessie Sisler has been recognized by the Pac-12 Conference as Freshman/Newcomer of the Week for the week of Jan. 14-20 the league office announced today. (Full Release)

The freshman is being recognized for stepping up in a big way when the Cats had gaps to fill.

During the team’s previous meet against the University of Washington, junior all-around competitor Jordan Williams went out with an injury. This left the team with four routines of veteran experience to attempt to replace in the lineup. Insert Sisler, a young member of the team with only two official lineup routines under her belt (9.700 on beam and 9.150 on floor in the season opener against California).

“We’ve always known Jessie is a future floor and beam star. We’ve been putting her in as an exhibition for the purpose of training her rather than lack of confidence, so with Jordan out putting her in the lineup seemed like a natural thing,” Head coach Bill Ryden said.

That natural thing was not something the Sloughouse native was going to give away easily, either. Minutes before the one-touch began on beam, Sisler suffered a severe bloody nose. Rather than let it stop her, she insisted upon warming up with her nose plugged. The nosebleed continued right up until the minute she saluted, hindering her ability to prepare for a routine as she normally would.

She posted a 9.750 for the routine – 0.05 higher than her career best.

The momentum she generated carried in to the next event, where she had even bigger shoes to fill. Floor has typically been a successful event for the Cats who bolster a 49.400 team high. Breaking in to that lineup is an incredibly difficult task, and contributing is even more daunting. For Sisler, however, this was no challenge. She bettered her career best by over half a point, earning a 9.875 and tied senior floor star Aubree Cristello for first place.

“I’m very proud of the fact that she won her first title and this recognition is a great honor for her and certainly for our program. This just goes to show you once again how strong that class can be,” Ryden said.

This award is Sisler’s first from the Pac-12, Arizona’s second recognition from the Pac-12 for the 2013 season.

From here, No. 14 Arizona should see more from Sisler in the upcoming meet against No. 8 Nebraska. The competition will be the team’s annual “Flipping for the Fight” meet to raise breast cancer awareness this Saturday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m.