COMPLETE RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY
ST. PETER, Minn. – In front of a packed house at the Sponberg Gymnastics Studio Friday night, the Gustavus gymnastics team defeated Hamline 184.600-184.350 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dual meet, posting the second highest team score in program history.
Amanda Malo performs her bars routine. (photos by AJ Dahm, SPX Sports)
“The atmosphere in the gym was incredible and the team built on the energy of the crowd,” Head Coach Aryn DeGrood said. “It was a great effort all around from the team. Vault was solid as usual and bars continue to improve every meet. That event in particular was a huge confidence boost for the team and a momentum builder. Beam was shaky again; it’s certainly the area we need to see the most improvement as we move forward. And floor was incredible. The energy in their performances was contagious. It was a huge win for us.”
The Gusties scored season highs on vault (46.075) and floor (47.775) and were led individually by Lauren Kershner (Sr., Marine, Ill.), who had a career night. Kershner won the all-around with a career-high 37.650. She also won the beam with a career-best 9.500 and took second in both the floor and bars. Kershner scored career-highs of 9.600 on floor and 9.425 on bars.
Sam Ardy (So., Thousand Oaks, Calif.) won the bars with a 9.500, which ties for fifth best in program history, and Emily Anderson (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn.) claimed first place on the floor with a career-best 9.650, crushing her previous high score of 9.450. Alex Kopp (Sr., Wayzata, Minn.) took second in the all-around with a 36.900, while Amanda Malo (So., Greenwood, Minn.) took third at 36.825, and Anderson placed fourth at 35.725.
“Individually, Lauren Kershner had the meet of her life, setting a career high in all-around and winning the meet,” DeGrood said. “Emily Anderson had a huge night, setting a personal best and winning floor. Sam Ardy had a huge routine on bars. We look to take this momentum with us as we travel to Iowa State next Friday.”
Gustavus next travels to Iowa State for a triad next Friday. Illinois State will also compete in the meet.