The Gustavus Adolphus gymnastics team placed fourth at Saturday’s Best of Minnesota meet at the University of Minnesota with a team score of 171.375. Brittany Moore (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./St. Louis Park) tied for third on the vault with a 9.700 as the Gusties posted four career-high scores on the apparatus and another on the balance beam. The host Golden Gophers took the team title easily with a team score of 191.625, followed by Hamline (179.225), Winona State (175.500), and Gustavus.
The Gusties competed with only five gymnasts on the vault, but four came away with career-high marks. Gustavus’ team total of 46.625 ranked as the team’s best score on the event all season. Behind Moore, Aryn Bell (So., Eden Praire, Minn.) placed 12th with a 9.325 (career high), Christine Askham (So., Arvada, Colo./West) placed 15th with a 9.300 (career high), Danielle Berg (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn./Technical) posted a 9.250, and Christina Sorenson (Fy., Worthington, Minn.) recorded a 9.050 (career high).
The high felt following the vault was balanced out as Gustavus struggled to a team score of 40.475 on the uneven bars. Laura Hansen (So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) finished tenth with a score of 9.000, followed by Askham with an 8.700. Audrey Schenewerk (Sr., Lawrence, Kan./Baldwin) and Stephanie Lovik (Sr., Rochester, Minn./Century) added scores of 7.975 and 7.925, respectively, while Bell added a 6.875.
Hansen also led the Gusties on the balance beam a career-high score of 9.150 to place sixth overall. Julia Kruchoski (So., Chisholm, Minn.) placed 11th with a score of 8.550, followed by Dana Ryerson (Sr., Ames, Iowa/Ballard) with an 8.200, and Askham with a 7.950. Kelsie Droogsma (Jr., Elk River, Minn.) and Meghan Johnson (So., Minneapolis, Minn./South) rounded out the Gustavus effort with scores of 7.550 and 7.400, respectively.
Askham recorded Gustavus’ best score on the floor exercise, finishing seventh with a 9.200. Moore finished 12th with a score of 8.950, while Droogsma (8.675), Ryerson (8.350), and Lovik (7.700) also recorded scores for the Gusties.
Askham was one of six gymnasts to compete for the all-around title, placing third with a total of 35.150.
Gustavus returns to competition Friday, Feb. 16 when they travel to UW-Eau Claire for a dual meet against the Blugolds.