WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University gymnastics officially began its new season on Tuesday night in McCown Gymnasium against the University of Wisconsin-Stout, winning a competitive dual against the Blue Devils, 182.35-180.725.
Returning All-American Eboni Jackson picked up where she left off last year, winning the all-around competition, the beam and vault. The junior also placed second on the bars and floor exercise.
The Warriors began the competition on the vault where Jackson's score of 9.5 was tops among the 12 competitors. Alana Currin took fourth in vault with a score of 9.275. Anna Hiller, Kennedy Utz and Leah Messelt each tied for seventh place with scores of 9.05.
Stout's MacKenzie Nicholson won the uneven parallel bars event with a score of 9.425, followed by Jackson at 9.275. Katie Carling placed fourth with a score of 9.075, followed by Hiller and Alexis Burton who tied for sixth at 9.0.
Jackson's score of 9.475 was again the top mark on the balance beam. Natalie Koehler placed third in the event with a score of 9.325. Hiller placed fifth (9.05) and Mikaela Sellner finished seventh (8.925).
Mikala Bugge of Stout won the floor routine with a score of 9.55, narrowly edging Jackson's second-place mark of 9.525. Ashley Wright placed third for WSU with a score of 9.375. Currin (9.1), Utz (9.0) and Breanna Murray (8.9) placed sixth through eighth, respectively.
Tuesday's meet was the first of five home events for the Warriors with season, with next scheduled for Friday, January 19 against Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Next week's "Smile On" Meet is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
