Alex Kopp took first place on the beam with a career-high score of 9.7. (photo courtesy of UW-La Crosse Sports Information)
UPDATE: Alex Kopp (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) has qualified for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championships, which will be held at The College of Brockport: State University of New York, on March 18 and 19. Kopp qualified on vault, beam and floor. She is also the top qualifier from the West Region in the all-around to compete on March 18.
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Gustavus gymnastics team took eighth place at the WIAC Championships/NCGA Regional on Friday evening with a season-high score of 184.475, which is also the second highest team score in program history. The conference championship also proved to be a memorable night for the Gusties with five individual career-highs, six season-highs, and two program records.
“Overall it was a wonderful meet,” Head Coach Aryn Bell said. “We finished with a season-high team score. The first three events were wonderful! Vault was solid. Bars set another school record to break 46 for the first time ever! Beam was solid all around. They fought so hard up there. Floor was was very shaky. We had three falls and had to count two. That hurt us in standings and team total.”
The Gusties scored 46.525 on vault, 46.200 on bars, 46.025 on beam and 45.725 on floor. The bars score set a program record.
Alex Kopp (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) shined for the Gusties by setting a program record in the all-around with a score of 38.525, breaking Amanda Parker’s mark of 38.050 set in 2004. Kopp took first on the beam with a career-high score of 9.700 and first on the floor with a career-high score of 9.775. Kopp’s beam score is the second highest in program history, while her floor score is the third highest in program history. Kopp also set a career-high on the bars with a score of 9.475. Her vault score of 9.575 placed seventh. By taking first in both the beam and floor, Kopp becomes the first Gustie to record two event titles at the WIAC Championships in program history.
“Individually, Alex Kopp had a huge meet tonight,” Bell said. “She won two events, and placed second in all-around, breaking the school record. Amanda Malo set a new personal best in the all around. She had a great meet and has really grown over the season. Rachel Thiner had a huge beam routine. She really left it all out there in her last routine. That was a wonderful moment! The entire beam and bar lineups were wonderful tonight.”
Behind Kopp on the bars included Lauren Kershner (Jr. Marine, Ill.) with a career-high 9.400, Amanda Malo (Fy., Greenwood, Minn.) with a season-high 9.350, and Emily Anderson (So., Mendota Heights, Minn.) with a season-high 9.150.
The floor exercise also boasted a pair of season highs for the Gusties. Malo tallied a 9.400, while Jaimie Niedermayer (Jr., New Prague, Minn.) posted a 9.375.
Behind Kopp on the beam was Rachel Thiner (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) with a 9.450 and Kershner with a season-high 9.375.
The vault saw five of six Gusties record a 9.0 or higher. Malo and Sam Ardy (Fy., Thousand Oaks, Calif.) each posted a 9.400, Anna Nesser (Fy., Sartell, Minn.) a 9.100, and Veronica Vasina (Fy., Avada, Colo.) a 9.050.
Malo took seventh in the all-around with a season-high total of 37.200, and Ardy took 11th at 34.625.
Kopp qualifies for nationals and any other individual for Gustavus will be determined Saturday.
“It has been incredible to see the growth in these ladies as gymnasts and a team this year,” Bell said. “We accomplished a lot and got over numerous hurdles. They did huge things for the program and are setting us up for huge success in the future.”
Hello Aryn, Just read about the meet. A lot of great scores and record setting. All sorts of things to build on. I think you have done a tremendous job and should be commended for bringing the Gusties back.
Still love the team. Way to go girl!!