Sports

Warrior Gymnastics Sweep UW-Stout on Parent’s Night

Gabe Slavin, Sports Editor

January 28, 2026

Warrior gymnastics goes above and beyond against UW-Stout on parent’s night.

How does a collective strive for higher goals after achieving great things previously? Winona State University’s women’s gymnastics team spent all last season shattering the record books. Ending their efforts in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship meet with a school record in overall team and vault score. A top finish in the conference meet in eight years. Now the Warriors begin their season with higher expectations, but they strive for more accomplishments this year.

Irene Kearney, a second-year gymnast for Winona State, discussed the high standards heading into the season.

“All of preseason was embedded that we would want to start off the 2026 season where we had left off at that last meet. Our team motto has a strong emphasis on that: ‘Everything to Gain.’”

Winona State began the season with a pair of trips to Oshkosh, Wis. and the United States Air Force Academy. They earned a second-place finish in the quadrangular meet, only falling behind the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in a team score. In the following meet, they lost the matchup against the Air Force by four points. After their home opening meet, they got a first-place finish in a tri-team matchup against the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and Gustavus College. For the second consecutive weekend, the Warriors hosted the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Jan. 26.

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Harper Hamilton, a freshman Warrior, emphasized the importance of hard work for the team’s success.

“We all have worked so hard and dedicated our lives to this sport for many years, and now it feels like the countless hours we’ve spent in the gym is finally paying off.”

The Blue Devils traveled to McCown Gymnasium to face Winona State for parents’ night. The night kicked off with the vault routine. Frankie Jo MacAskill, a freshman athlete for the Warriors, scored the second highest score for individual with a 9.625. Gabby Kraft came just behind her with a vault tally of 9.600. Five of the six leaders came from Winona State for this event. As a team, they finished with a mark of 47.875, taking the event in the dual by half a point from Stout. The Warriors showed their strength in the beam routine as well.

The next event continued Winona State’s strong performance against their WIAC opponent. Reagan Kelley took first on the balance beam, with a tally of 9.625. Kaylee Bateman finished second in the event, securing three of the top five finishers in the event. Aspen Peter, a third-year Warrior, earned fourth place with a score of 9.450. Winona State gathered another team victory in the event, defeating the Blue Devils 46.800 to 46.025.

Continuing throughout the meet, things kept going the Warriors way. The team defeated Stout 46.050 to 43.650 in the Bars routine. Addison Ward, the lead scorer for the Winona State, earned silver for individuals. Kearney and Hamilton picked fourth and fifth place finishes between the two teams. The final routine gave the Warriors an opportunity to sweep all events on the night.

Kearney discussed the challenges of entering a conference competition.

“Keeping up the energy and focus throughout the season will put us in a good mindset for regionals and post-season. Every person has a role in the team that is vital for our success as a whole; everybody needs to have a strong season.”

If it’s a total win Winona State wanted, a domination is what they got. They defeated the Blue Devils in the floor routine 48.025 to 46.875. MacAskill secured another top score, winning the event with a score of 9.825. Four Warriors took the top four finishes and closed the meet with another dual victory. They closed out Stout in all four events, finishing with a total score of 188.750 compared to Blue Devil’s mark of 183.925. Winona State will be back at home against Simpson College at McCown Gymnasium on Sunday, Feb. 1.

About the Contributors

Gabe Slavin, Sports Editor

Gabe (he/him) is the Sports Editor of the Winonan. He is a second-year student with a Mass Communication: Creative Digital Media major, with a minor in Sports Business at Winona State University. He has worked with the Winonan as a Sports Reporter since Spring 2025. As well as working at the Winonan, Gabe also works with the KQAL on-campus radio station, assisting with sports broadcasts and as an on-air personality on the Sports Rundown. He works in Winona State Tech Support as a Technician since Fall 2024. During non-school hours, Gabe loves to watch sports with friends, play video games, and listening to music. Another thing he loves to do is watch popular television shows of the past. He is a big fan of old pop culture and likes to look back at what previous trends were like, connecting to how times have changed overtime.

Pronob Kumar, Business & Distribution Manager

Pronob Kumar (he/him) is a Business Manager, Sports Reporter, and Photographer for the Winonan as of Spring 2022. Pronob is currently in his fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Applied Computer Science & Data Science and with minors in Physics & Mathematics. In addition to working for the Winonan, Pronob is also a part of the IT Infrastructure team in Winona State. He is also a Teaching Assistant for the Computer Science department. In addition to that, he is also a Senior tutor for the tutoring services. Outside of university, Pronob loves to spend time with his friends. He also enjoys cooking, board games, hiking, and fishing. Besides all this Pronob loves to have a long sleep (for like 12+ hours) on the weekends.

Elly Herrick, Features Editor

Elly Herrick (she/they) is the Features Editor for the Winonan. Herrick is currently in her fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Mass Communications: Public Relations with minors in Photography and Creative Digital Media. In addition to working for the Winonan, she is also an Production Assistant with KQAL and a Resident Assistaint for East Lake. She also works in TV Services and will most likely be found in Phelps Hall. Outside of school, Herrick loves to spend time with loved ones and being outside. She also loves long walks outside and seeing live music.

Jade McElmury, Arts and Opinion Editor

Jade McElmury (they/she) is the News Editor and writer for the Winonan as of fall 2024. McElmury is currently in their third year at Winona State University, majoring in Communication, Arts, & Literature (Teaching) with a minor Communication Studies (Teaching). In addition to working for the Winonan, McElmury works in the HERS Department Office and as a Direct Support Provider in a HCO group home. Outside of university, McElmury loves to spend her time thrifting with their friends, reading a good horror or classic book, and getting a Strawberry Horizon from Scooters. McElmury also enjoys listening to a variety of music ranging from Midwest emo to Kpop.

Cassandra Raymond, Photographer

Cassandra Raymond (she/her/hers) is a photographer for the Winonan as of fall 2025. Raymond is in her second year at Winona State University, majoring in Recreational Tourism while also minoring in Adventure Education. In addition to working for the Winonan, Raymond is also a Resident Assistant in the Quad and enjoys planning events and such for students to enjoy. Adding to that, she is a part of the Treble Choir on Campus as well and loves to sing with her friends. Outside of school, Raymond loves to play guitar, draw, listen to music, make people laugh, watch Marvel movies, and adventure outdoors. Raymond has travelled all over the United States with her family in an RV and plans to someday study abroad to experience more.

Larissa Lopez, Film Reviewer & Illustrator

Larissa Lopez (she/her/hers) is the Movie Reviewer and Illustrator for The Winonan for the 2025-2026 academic year. Lopez is an international student from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and is currently in her fourth year at Winona State University, majoring in Finance with a minor in Investments and Economics.  In addition to working for The Winonan, Lopez is also a Conway Resident Assistant, head of Finance of the Case Competition Club and Business Law Association, member of the Sales Team, and member of the COB Dean’s Advisory Board.  Outside of university, Lopez loves to spend time playing video games, hanging out with friends, and baking sweet treats.  She also enjoys listening to music at almost all times, and has a passion for film, with her favorite film of all time being Everything Everywhere All at Once, and her favorite show being Succession.  Find her star ratings in Letterboxd at: LarissaWatches 

Marissa Meyer, Photo Editor

Marissa Meyer (she/they) is a third-year Psychology major with a minor in Business Administration and Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies at Winona State University. They are the photo editor for The Winonan for the 2025-2026 academic year. She has had the roles of photographer and now photo editor. Meyer has been on the Winonan staff for two years now. In addition to working for the Winonan, Meyer works at the Winona State University Children’s Center as a teacher’s aide. Outside of school, Meyer enjoys spending time with her friends, reading all kinds of books, and going to coffee shops.

Matthew Garner, Photographer

Matthew Garner (he/him) is a first year Mass Communication: Creative Digital Media major at Winona State University and he is a sports photographer for The Winonan for the 2025-2026 academic year. In addition to working for The Winonan, Matthew is currently developing his portfolio for sports photography for a shot to work in the NFL. Outside of school, Matthew enjoys watching and playing a variety of different sports. He also enjoys fishing, playing video games, and eating with friends. He also likes traveling and has lived in six different countries throughout his life, and visited many more.

Camden McDonald, Arts and Opinion Reporter

Cam McDonald has been a Sportswriter and Photographer for the Winonan since the fall of 2024. McDonald is currently in his third year at Winona State University, majoring in Communications Arts and Literature – Teaching with plans on becoming a middle school English teacher. Outside of the Winonan, McDonald loves all things outdoors. McDonald enjoys hiking, training for and running marathons, and traveling. McDonald simply loves building his list of uncle lore for his niece and two nephews, Quinny, Luke and Walker.