Titans To Compete At Gymnastics National Championship

UW-Oshkosh makes its first appearance in seven years when it performs at the NCGA Championship on Friday and Saturday (March 21-22) in Ithaca, N.Y.

The Titans' last visit was during 2007, when they won the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association title with a team score of 185.575. UW-Oshkosh also captured the NCGA crown in 1989, the NAIA title in 1986 and the AIAW Division III Championship in 1980.

UW-Oshkosh qualified by scoring 185.575 points for third place at the WIAC Championship/NCGA West Regional on March 2.

Team and all-around competitions will be held Friday, while the individual champions will be crowned on Saturday. Joining UW-Oshkosh in the field are Ithaca College (N.Y.), SUNY-Brockport, SUNY-Cortland, Ursinus College (Pa.), UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater.

Krystal Walker will try to add to her three All-America awards from last year. She placed second on the balance beam with a score of 9.525, fourth in the all-around at 37.625 and 11th on the vault at 9.375.

At the 2013 meet, Leane Blais scored a 9.40 on the uneven bars to finish eighth. She's ranked sixth nationally in the event this year with an average of 9.575.

UW-Oshkosh recorded season-high scores with 46.825 in the floor exercise and 46.65 on the balance beam at the WIAC Championship. For the year, the Titans are averaging 181.9 total, with 45.8 on the vault, 45.6 on the floor, 45.5 on the bars and 44.9 on the beam.

Kylie Fischer, Kimberly Robertson and Danielle Turner have also posted some strong scores for the Titans. Robertson averages 9.27 on the vault, while Fischer holds marks of 9.23 on the floor and 9.16 on the vault. At her last two meets, Turner has scored 9.35 and 9.30 on the floor.

UW-Whitewater won the 2013 NCGA Championship with 189.75 points. UW-La Crosse placed second with 186.575, while SUNY-Cortland took third at 185.90.

By Jon Feyen