The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team closed out its regular season at home on Saturday. Despite Warhawks claiming individual event titles on three of the four events, the Titans from UW-Oshkosh finished on top 191.750- 190.825.
Sophomore, Kara Welsh (Plainfield, Ill./Central) nearly stuck her vault to lead the Warhawks with a 9.85 to win the event. That mark is tied for second in the program record book. Freshman Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) placed third with a 9.725. Freshmen Elaine Copeland (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) (9.675) and Brianna Balian (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) (9.625) and seniors Faith Mylin (Elgin, Ill./Harvest Christian Academy) (9.6) and Meg McGinley (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) (9.575) all posted great scores as UWW totaled 48.475, narrowly outscoring the Titans to take the lead after the first rotation.
The Titans outscored UWW on the uneven bars (47.850- 47.125) but sophomore Richella Velarmino (Bonney Lake, Wash./John R. Rogers) managed a second place finish with her gorgeous 9.625 routine. Copeland was third with a 9.6. Juniors Estee Flom (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) (9.575) and Ashlyn Vlcko (Plover, Wis./SPASH) (9.45) contributed solid scores and senior Taiya Stelmachowski (Plainfield, Ill./Central) rounded out the top five scores with an 8.95.
Once again, Junior Sarah Knetzke (Ozark, Mo./Springfield Catholic) led the field on beam with an outstanding 9.825, the fourth-best beam score in program history. Freshman Shannon Chase (Middlefield, Ohio/Berkshire) chipped in a 9.525. Mylin was solid as usual, adding a 9.4 to the team total. Junior Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) (9.0) and freshman Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School) (8.825) brought the beam score to a 46.600.
The Warhawks saved the best for last with their 48.625-47.825 triumph on the floor exercise. The team total on the event is tied for the fourth-best in program history. There was a purple sweep, with Kollhoff taking first (9.825), Mylin in second (9.75) and Moore and McGinley (9.7) tying for third. Copeland and Welsh were sixth with a pair of 9.65s. Kollhoff's meet best is a top five mark in program history.
After the meet UWW honored their seniors, Meg McGinley (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Faith Mylin (Elgin, Ill./Harvest Christian Academy) and Taiya Stelmachowski (Plainfield, Ill./Central).
Next up for the Warhawks is the WIAC Conference/ NCGA West Regional on March 11th at 2pm at UW-Oshkosh.
