Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

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Warriors place third at Gershon/McLellan Invitational

Kylie Bridenhagen/Winonan

The Winona State University gymnastics team took on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans and host school University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles at the 33rd annual Gershon/McLellan Invitational in La Crosse, Wis. on Jan. 31.

UW-La Crosse captured their fifth straight invitational title with a score of 185.925. The Titans came in second with a team total of 180.400, and the Warriors were third with a 179.400.

Jade Donaldson, the lone Warrior to compete all-around, led the team by scoring a 9.025 or higher on all four of the events. She placed second overall in the all-around competition with a 36.950.
UW-Oshkosh’s Krystal Walker won the all-around with a 37.350.

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Donaldson, who has competed in the all-around three times this season, plans on competing it more as the season goes on.

On the vault, all of the Warriors scored a 9.100 or higher. This contributed to their 46.075 apparatus total, which was good enough to outscore the Titans vaults.

Olivia Catellino was the team’s top scorer. She scored a 9.325 to tie for fifth place with UW-La Crosse’s Ali Berry.

Brooke Hiestand and Donaldson tied for seventh place, each with a 9.275. Freshman Joanna Reale and Veronica Peterson shared the 12th place spot, both with a 9.100.

The Eagles swept the vault titles, with Kari Willett taking home the title with a 9.500. Nicole Mickelson and Nicole Wangler each scored 9.425 to tie for second place overall.

The Warriors scored a 43.700 on the uneven bars, the event that has caused the team the most difficulty this season.

Brooke Baures was the leading scorer for the team on this event and placed sixth overall with a score of 9.325.

Baures said the team does have a strong bar squad, but it is just about them hitting their top routines during meets.

“Doing the repetitions and time will bring us our consistency and confidence. I have no doubt that the bar team will be able to be our leading event by the time Regionals comes around,” Baures said.

Catellino scored a 9.150 for her routine and placed 11th. Donaldson earned a 9.025 for her set and was 13th overall. Leane Blais of UW-Oshkosh claimed the uneven bars title with a 9.475. UW-La Crosse teammates Elsa Spitmueller and Rachel Riesterer tied for second place, each with a 9.450.

Donaldson led Winona State on the balance beam with a 9.450 to tie for fourth place with UW-La Crosse’s Spitzmueller. Melanee Pfautz earned a 9.275 for her routine to place seventh overall. As a team, the Warriors scored a combined 44.425 on the event.

UW-La Crosse’s Kendall Westrich captured the balance beam title with a 9.625. Walker of UW-Oshkosh placed second with a 9.600 and Willett of UW-La Crosse was third with a 9.500.

Floor proved to be a strong event, as the Warriors scored a combined 45.200 to outperform the Titans. Hiestand was the lead scorer on the event, as she placed second overall with a 9.525. Donaldson earned a 9.200 for her performance and placed fifth. Cassandra Mello was seventh with a 9.075 and Pfautz was placed right behind her with a 9.050.

Berry of UW-La Crosse scored a 9.625 to claim the floor exercise title. UW-La Crosse’s Kelsi Vomacka scored a 9.450 for the third place spot.

The Warriors return to competition at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, hosting a duel meet against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in McCown Gymnasium.

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