ANCHORAGE – The Winona State gymnastics team improved its team scored drastically from just two days ago, falling to Alaska Anchorage by a respectable 192.250-185.275 score in front of 446 spectators inside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Warriors' team score was higher than any score the team reached last season. Jade Donaldson put up a solid showing in the all-around competition, scoring a 37.600 and finishing with a 9.300 or better on each event.
Freshman Kathryn Pipp put together a fantastic performance on bars, recording a 9.675 – the best event performance for the Warriors of the night. All six Warriors scored a 9.275 or better on bars, including a 9.625 from Olivia Cattelino, a 9.450 from Jade Donaldson, a 9.350 from freshman Katie Carling, and a 9.300 from Danielle Thenell. The Warriors recorded a score of 47.400 on the bars, less than a point off of UAA's score of 48.175.
WSU also had a great showing in the vault event, with every gymnast recording at least a 9.200. Jade Donaldson posted a 9.550 to lead the Warriors, while Emily Goldeman posted a career-best 9.525. Joanna Reale posted a career-best 9.350, while Veronica Peterson finished with a 9.300. The Warriors also came up just short of the Seawolves in the vault, finishing with a 47.050 compared to UAA's 47.775.
Donaldson led the Warriors on beam, recording a score of 9.300, while Pipp scored a 9.225 and Brooke Hiestand 9.050.
On the floor exercise, Veronica Peterson paced the squad with a 9.425, while freshman Jessica Gabriel scored a 9.400 and Donaldson scored a 9.300.
Winona State returns to the lower 48 states to prepare for its first home meet of the season when it welcomes Wisconsin-Eau Claire to McCown Gym for a 6:30 p.m. meet on Jan. 23.
