The UW-Whitewater gymnastics team faced Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Winona State University on Friday night in their first home contest of the 2023 season. The Warhawks bested the Warriors 185.775 to 179.875 in a hard fought battle. The meet saw more new faces enter the Warhawk line up proving that Whitewater has a variety of talented athletes ready to compete.
Sophomore Kara Welsh (Plainfield, Ill./Central) started the Warhawks off strong with 9.675, good a first place finish on the vault. Freshman Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) followed closely behind with a 9.6. Freshmen Brianna Balian (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) and Danielle Dudziak (Lorain, Ohio/Amherst Steele) contributed to the vault total with scores of 9.525 and 9.325 respectively. Faith Mylin (Elgin, Ill./Harvest Christian Academy) rounded out the team score with a 9.15 to give UWW a solid 47.275 to start off the meet.
On the uneven bars, the Warhawks showed their strength claiming the top four places in the event and totaled a 46.825. Freshman Elaine Copeland (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) lead UW-Whitewater with a 9.525 in her college debut. Sophomore Richella Velarmino (Bonney Lake, Wash./John R. Rogers) was second with a 9.5 and senior Taiya Stelmachowski (Plainfield, Ill./Central) was third with a 9.375. Junior Estee Flom (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) (9.35) and Dudziak (9.075) also contributed to the team score to give the Warhawks nearly a three point lead going into the third rotation.
The balance beam proved to be a challenge for both teams Friday but the Warhawks persevered. Velarmino had the top score for UWW with a 9.425 which was good for second place. Third place went to junior Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) who re-entered the beam line up this week to earn a 9.2. Freshman Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School), junior Sarah Knetzke (Ozark, Mo./Springfield Catholic) and Mylin also tacked on scores to total a 44.7 team beam score for the night.
In the final event, the Warhawks finished strong sweeping the top three spots on the floor. Mylin won the event with a 9.7. Welsh followed closely behind with a 9.6 and Copeland added a 9.35, good for third place. Balian and Dudziak also put up good marks to help the team with a 9.175 and a 9.15 respectively. The floor team totaled a 46.975.
Next week, the Warhawks travel to the University of New Hampshire where they will compete against Division I UNH, Penn and Yale on Sunday, January 29th at 1pm.
