The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team held its own among a field of Division I institutions Sunday at the University of New Hampshire. The Warhawks tallied a 191.350 to place fourth, their highest team total so far this season and a top 20 team total in program history.
The meet began on the floor for UWW, where the Warhawks kicked things off in an outstanding fashion. The 48.450 total is the highest so far this season for the Warhawks on any event, and ties for the sixth-highest on floor in the program record book. Senior, Faith Mylin (Elgin, Ill./Harvest Christian Academy), was the top scorer for the Warhawks with a season high of a 9.75. Sophomore, Kara Welsh (Plainfield, Ill./Central), also put up big marks tying her career best of a 9.725, while freshman Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) also posted a career best of 9.7. Junior Kelsey Kolhoff re-entered the floor line up for the first time this season with a huge 9.65, and freshman Danielle Dudziak (Lorain, Ohio/Amherst Steele) rounded out the top 5 scores with a 9.625.
UWW moved to the vault where Welsh set the pace with a solid 9.675. The freshmen duo of Moore and Brianna Balian (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) followed closely behind with 9.625 and 9.60, both season bests for the young vaulters. Also contributing to the vault total were Mylin and Dudziak who posted a 9.525 and 9.425 respectively to earn a 47.850 team vault score.
On the bars, UWW's returners proved that experience is a valuable tool. Sophomore, Richella Velarmino (Bonney Lake, Wash./John R. Rogers) lead the way with a 9.70, while junior, Estee Flom (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) and senior Taiya Stelmachowski (Plainfield, Ill./Central) were close behind with a pair of matching 9.675's. Junior Ashlyn Vlcko (Plover, Wis./SPASH) earned a career best score of 9.575, while Dudziak earned a 9.525 to contribute the fifth score to the team total of 48.150, another season high and the eighth-best in program history.
The final event of the meet was the balance beam where UWW totaled a 46.90. Kolhoff placed 3rd with a 9.775, tied for the sixth-highest individual beam score in Warhawk history. Junior Sarah Knetzke (Ozark, Mo./Springfield Catholic) was right behind her with a 9.725. Mylin tied her career high score on the event with a 9.525. Freshman Teagan Haberstock earned an 8.95 and Dudziak contributed an 8.875 to the team total.
Dudziak made her all around debut Sunday earning a 37.450 for her efforts on all four events combined.
The Warhawks return home on Saturday, February 4th at 4pm when they welcome WIAC rival UW-Eau Claire. This meet will serve as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer research.
