ST. PAUL, Minn. – After posting steady team scores between 178-180 in its last three meets, the Gustavus gymnastics team broke out Sunday for a 183.400-181.725 victory over Hamline University, tying the third highest team score in program history. The Gusties posted season-high scores on the bars (44.875), beam (46.275) and floor (46.075) to improve to 2-4 in WIAC dual meets this season.
“What a wonderful day!” Head Coach Aryn Bell said. “I am so proud of every one of these young women. They left it all out on the floor and competed the way they practice. The third highest score in school history is a huge accomplishment for them.”
Alex Kopp (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) turned in another impressive performance, taking first in the all-around with a career-high total of 37.775, which is the fifth best all-around score in program history. Kopp also won the vault (9.475), beam (9.450), and floor (9.700). The Providence Academy product’s floor score is a career-best and seventh highest in program history. Kopp also took second on the bars with a mark of 9.150.
“Alex had another incredible day,” Bell said. “They were all great! The beam line up, including the exhibition spot, all hit. The beam lineup swept the podium!”
Behind Kopp on the beam were Rachel Thiner (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) in second at 9.300 and Lauren Kershner (Jr., Marine, Ill.) in third at 9.275 (season-high).
On the vault, Amanda Malo (Fy., Greenwood, Minn.) scored a 9.275, while Anna Nesser (Fy., Sartell, Minn.) and Emily Anderson (So., Mendota Heights, Minn.) posted identical scores of 9.200. And on the floor, Anderson tallied a 9.250, while Jaimie Niedermayer (Jr., New Prague, Minn.) tallied a 9.150. Besides Kopp, Malo was the only all-around participant as she scored a 35.975.
“Emily had a huge day today on all of her events!” Bell said. “Jaimie Niedermayer added upgrades on floor and it paid off. Jess Niedermayer hit her beam routine and nailed her bar routine. It’s hard to talk about individuals when they did so great as a whole!
“We had season high scores on many of the events as a team. They earned it. This team is doing big things and we aren’t done yet. They are excited to get back in the gym, keep making improvements and prepping for the last home meet of the season and celebrating our seniors.”
Gustavus hosts its final home meet of the season at 6 p.m. Friday against UW-Eau Claire.