Titans To Perform At WIAC Gymnastics Championship
UW-Whitewater looks to defend its title at Friday's (March 4) WIAC Women's Gymnastics Championship (presented by Culver's) in UW-La Crosse's Mitchell Hall. This year's championship marks the 43rd meeting of league teams.
The Warhawks captured the fourth conference title in program history a season ago with 191.75 points. UW-La Crosse finished second with 190.875 points, while UW-Stout placed third with 187.825, Winona State University (Minn.) fourth with 187.675, Hamline University (Minn.) fifth with 187.10, UW-Eau Claire sixth with 184.475, UW-Oshkosh seventh with 181.625 and Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) eighth with 180.025.
The conference meet also serves as the West Region qualifier for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championship that will be held March 18-19 in Brockport, N.Y. The top three teams from the WIAC Championship, along with qualified individual gymnasts, will advance to the national meet.
This year's conference championship includes seven teams that rank among the top 13 in the country. UW-Whitewater is ranked first in the NCAA Division III Season Average Score listings, while UW-La Crosse ranks third, Winona State University seventh, UW-Eau Claire eighth, UW-Oshkosh ninth, Hamline University 11th, UW-Stout 12th and Gustavus Adolphus College 13th.
Individually, seven women who have claimed titles at previous WIAC Championships return.
UW-Whitewater's Courtney Pickett is the defending all-around champion, while teammate Katie Fiorilli was victorious on the vault a year ago after securing the all-around title in 2014.
The Warhawks' Kate Mierow won the balance beam as last year's meet after teammate McKenzie Foster captured the event title in 2014.
UW-La Crosse's Sheree Romesburg is back after posting consecutive first-place finishes in the floor exercise in 2013 and 2014. She also captured the vault title in 2014. The Eagles' Amy Enright is the defending champion in the uneven bars.
UW-Stout's Kaylee Jondahl also returns after winning the floor exercise at last year's championship.
UW-Oshkosh is expected to receive its highest individual finishes from Krystal Walker in the all-around competition, Kylie Fischer in the floor exercise and balance beam, Dana LoCascio in the balance beam and vault, Amanda McBrayer in the balance beam and Emily Ryan in the uneven bars and vault.
This year's meet features student-athletes that represent 28 different states, Argentina and Canada.
The top-six finishers in each event receive All-Conference designation.