The Gustavus gymnastics team wrapped up its 2011 team schedule with a season best score of 178.350 at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, which were held at the University of Wisconsin at Stout in Menonomie. The Gusties finished eighth out of eight teams at the meet. UW-Whitewater won its second consecutive WIAC Gymnastics Title with a score of 189.275. Gustavus’ top individual finish was turned in by first year Jamie Ries who finished seventh on the uneven parallel bars with a season best score of 9.325.
Gustavus saved its best performance of the season for last with numerous season best performances both in team event scores and in individual performances. The Gusties posted season best team individual event scores on the vault (46.500), uneven bars (43.050) an floor exercise 46.175. The team was particularly impressive on the vault where all five scoring gymnasts recorded season best scores and three registered career best totals including Tiffany Etterman with a 9.15 (season best and tied career best), Kacy Lorber with a 9.25 (season and career best), Jamie Ries with a 9.375 (season and career best), Dani Thibodeau with a 9.475 (season best), and Bailey Zeinert with a .9250 (season and career best).
Ries turned in the finest performance of her young career posting a season and career best all-around score of 35.400 (14th overall) including season and career best individual event scores in the vault (9.375), uneven bars (9.325), and floor exercise (9.250).
Thibodeau also had a big day as she registered a season and career best total of 36.675 (10th overall) in the all-around including season and career best scores in the balance beam (9.350) and floor exercise (9.575) and a season best score of 9.475 on the vault.
Zeinert gave the squad a third strong all-around performance as she posted a career best total of 35.050 (15th overall) in the all-around including a season and career best score of 9.250 on the vault and season best score of 8.575 on the uneven bars.
Other top performances included Sam Opsahl tying her career best in the floor exercise with a score of 9.30 and Amanda Christensen registering a career best in the floor exercise with a score of 9.15.
An All-Sportsmanship Team was chosen for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school and Shelby Winzent was honored as Gustavus’ selection to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Nice job GAC gymnasts!
Congratulations to the GAC Gymnasts for continually improving throughout the season in this demanding sport.
I think you do better without a musical inspirational card from me. Cheers to you on a successful day. I was out of town and thought of you.