The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team had a record breaking night against the Pipers of Hamline University Saturday. The Warhawks totaled a season high and recorded the tenth highest team total in program history in the 192.050-182.625 victory.
UWW began on the vault where the top five competitors of the night were all donning purple. Sophomore Kara Welsh (Plainfield, Ill./Central) took the crown with an outstanding 9.825. Senior Faith Mylin (Elgin, Ill./Harvest Christian Academy) and sophomore Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) tied for second place with 9.65s. Freshman Brianna Balian (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) was fourth with a 9.625 and senior Meg McGinley (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) was fifth with a 9.575. UW-Whitewater totaled a 48.325 on vault, the second highest score in school history.
Uneven bars brought upon another Warhawk sweep. Junior Estee Flom (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) topped the competition with an amazing 9.75. Teammate and senior Taiya Stelmachowski (Plainfield, Ill./Central) was not far behind with a solid 9.7. Sophomore Richella Velarmino (Bonney Lake, Wash./John R. Rogers) (9.675), freshman Elaine Copland (9.65) and junior Ashlyn Vlcko (Plover, Wis./SPASH) (9.6) placed third, fourth and fifth respectively to give the Warhawks a 48.375 on the event, and a commanding lead going into the third rotation.
Junior Sarah Knetzke (Ozark, Mo./Springfield Catholic) found her place back on the top of the podium, leading the Warhawk beam squad with a 9.725. Junior Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) was second with a 9.55, while Mylin (9.375), freshman Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School) (8.925) and Velarmino (8.9) rounded out the top five scores to give the Warhawks a solid 46.475 on the event.
UWW showed up on the floor exercise in a big way. With all six competitors outscoring the opposing team, Whitewater posted the second highest team floor score in school history with a 48.875. Kollhoff won the event with a personal best 9.875, tying the floor record set in 2016 by Lisa O'Donnell. It was all Warhawks, all the way after that -- Mylin with a 9.825, Welsh with a 9.775, Moore and freshman Danielle Dudziak (Lorain, Ohio/Amherst Steele) with a 9.7 and Copeland with the sixth score of a 9.475.
The Warhawks will be back in action next week, at 4 pm in Russell Arena as they take on UW-Oshkosh on March 4th.
