LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Winona State gymnastics team recorded the third best team score in program history at the time it mattered most, scoring a 188.525 to finish in third place Friday at the WIAC Championship/NCGA West Regional in La Crosse. By finishing in the top three, the Warriors advance to the NCGA National Championship for the first time since 2009.

The team opened the night with a fine showing on the balance beam, led by a fantastic 9.675 from Eboni Jackson. Katie Carling added a 9.500, Natalie Koehler added a 9.400, Jade Donaldson scored a 9.300 and Miranda Saathoff had a 9.250 for a 47.125 team score.

The Warriors then took to the floor exercise, where they recorded a 47.375 to stay firmly in contention for a top three spot. Brooke Hiestand turned in a terrific performance with a 9.675, followed by a 9.525 from Carling, a 9.475 from Donaldson, a 9.400 from Veronica Peterson and a 9.300 from Jessica Gabriel.

The third rotation saw the Warriors continue to stake their claim on third place with a 47.450, as Taylor Lewis led the Warriors with a 9.600, while Donaldson added a 9.575, Jackson scored a 9.450, Emily Goldeman recorded a 9.425 and Hiestand finished with a 9.400.

Firmly in third with one rotation to go, the Warriors benefited by saving typically one of its best apparatuses – the uneven bars – for last. While it turned out to be their lowest score of the evening, WSU did what it needed to do to remain in third. Katie Pipp led WSU with a 9.575, while Olivia Cattelino added a 9.450 and Carling added a 9.425. Donaldson added a 9.300 while Jackson was given an 8.825.

By finishing in the top six of an event, Taylor Lewis and Eboni Jackson earned All-WIAC honors, each finishing fourth in the vault and beam, respectively. Jade Donaldson also earned All-WIAC honors by finishing sixth in the All-Around with a 37.650.

The Warriors will compete at the NCGA National Championship on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at the College at Brockport in Brockport, N.Y.