EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Gustavus gymnastics team posted a season-high 183.825 team score in a WIAC dual meet Saturday at UW-Eau Claire, who scored 185.100.
Gustavus totaled 47.500 on floor, 46.850 on vault, 44.825 on beam, and 44.650 on bars.
“This meet is what we’ve worked for, it has finally all started to come together,” Head Coach Aryn DeGrood said. “We still have room for improvements but this was a huge step forward for us. It was an all around team effort and that was the best part of today’s successes. They showed the fight and determination we see at practice and that the coaches have been asking of them, particularly on beam.”
Amanda Malo (Sr., Greenwood, Minn.) won the floor with a 9.650 and the all-around at 37.650. She also took third on both the vault (9.475) and bars (9.300). Sam Ardy (Sr., Thousand Oaks., Calif.) won the bars at 9.500 and placed third on the floor with a 9.550.
“Individually there were some huge performances,” DeGrood said. “After an uncharacteristic fall in front of her, Callie Van Dyck (Fy, Winona, Minn.) pulled out her best vault of the season which was something we needed. Amanda Malo had her best all around performance of the season. Leah Heilig (Jr., Forest Lake, Minn.) was huge for us on her three events and Sam Ardy was again a big piece of our success. The momentum kept building through out the meet and while a lot of that is the line up, another big part was out exhibition spots. They don’t show on the score sheets but we have individuals pushing and working hard to fill the voids and weak spots in our line up.”
Gustavus is now complete with its regular season away schedule and hosts UW-Stout at 6 p.m. next Saturday.
“I couldn’t be prouder of their effort out there today.,” DeGrood said. “The energy was electric and I can’t wait to see it grow and carry us forward as we finally get the opportunity to compete at home in front of our fans.”