Reagan Johnson / Winonan

The Winona State University gymnastics team traveled to St. Peter, Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 19 to compete against Gustavus Adolphus College. The Warriors fell to Gustavus by a few tenths of a point with a final score of 180.775-180.300.

“The frustrating thing about this meet was that we had another record-setting vault to start the meet off and we had the best bars scores of the season, so the first two events went really well,” Winona State head coach Beckie Rolbiecki said.

Winona State outscored the Gusties on vault, with six of the Warriors scoring above a 9.000. Sophomores Eboni Jackson and Taylor Lewis both scored 9.500s. Senior Jade Donaldson scored a 9.475, first-year Alyssa Carroll recorded a 9.375, senior Emily Goldeman added a 9.300 and junior Joanna Reale scored a 9.125 to round out the event.

The Warriors outscored Gustavus on the uneven bars as well, 45.200-43.550. Sophomore Katie Pipp won the event with a score of 9.375 while senior Olivia Cattelino added a 9.350 and Jackson a 9.200.

Sophomore Katie Carling led the Warriors on the floor exercise scoring a 9.450, while Carroll wasn’t far behind with 9.325.

Rolbiecki said the beam was the event which caused the Warriors to narrowly miss the win. Jackson was the only Winona State gymnast to score above a 9 on the beam with a 9.425.

Rolbiecki added how having several falls on beam meant they were handing points to the other team.

“We had completely uncharacteristic performances across the board,” Rolbiecki said.

Rolbiecki said the loss was hard for the team to take in.

“It was a harsh reality check. At that moment I was very disappointed in our performance and the girls as well, but it’s been a good turning point for our awareness and our attitude and our work ethic,” Rolbiecki said. “Since then we’ve talked about it and we know we’re a much better team. We practiced with much more intensity and purpose this week.”

Junior Veronica Peterson said the meet was a good learning experience.

“I don’t think we preformed to what we are capable of at all but we came back from the gym and learned a lot from the experience,” Peterson said.

According to Rolbiecki, Peterson is a key member of the team and her floor routine is one of the best the Warriors have.

“We’re working on that mental toughness and I think it’s going to come along. I think they know that they are a much better team than what they showed,” Rolbiecki said.

Rolbiecki said one of the strongest competitors the team has is all-arounder Eboni Jackson. Jackson did not compete last year but she said she very excited to out on the floor for the 2016 season.

Jackson said her biggest goal is to be consistent in sticking all her routines in the all around so she can help her team get to nationals.

“I think she will only get stronger,” Rolbiecki said.

Peterson said team chemistry has been good this year but the Warriors have had to adjust to some changes.

Winona State will travel to UW-La Crosse on Friday, Jan. 29 for a meet at 6:30 p.m.

“I’m excited to see what we’re going to put on the floor in La Crosse. I think it’s going to be a fired up squad,” Rolbiecki said.

Jackson said that she believes the loss against Gustavus has made the team stronger.

“I always say a minor set back calls for a major come back so I know we’re going to do really well as a team,” Jackson said.