Winona State Gymnastics finally gets the chance to perform in front of its home town crowd Tuesday as the Warriors host Gustavus Adolphis College to open WIAC competition. This past weekend Winona State traveled to Lindenwood where the Warriors suffered their first dual loss of the season. Despite the loss, WSU saw many improvements in the meet as multiple gymnasts increased their season scores from the Best of Minnesota meet earlier this season. Winona State looks to kick off WIAC competition with a victory over the Gusties for the third-straight season.
 
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A LOOK AT THE GUSTIES: The Gusties are currently ninth in the NCGA with an SAS of 182.325, trailing Winona State (182.375) by just .150. Sophia Redding is a gymnast to watch for on vaul,t scoring a 9.525 at the Best of Minnesota meet and a 9.3 this past weekend against UW-Oshkosh. All-Around competitor Amanda Malo won the floor exercise against UW-Oshkosh with a score of 9.5.
 
SOMETHING SPECIAL: Kennedy Utz was named WIAC Specialist of the Week two weeks ago for her performance at the Best of Minnesota meet. The junior placed eighth overall on the floor exercise and vault with a 9.500 on floor and 9.450 on vault. During the Lindenwood meet the junior improved upon her score, finishing sixth and setting a season-high 9.575 on the floor exercise. 
 
SEASON SO FAR: Winona State is 0-1 in dual meets so far this season dropping their first meet to Lindenwood last Friday by a score of 194.55-183.95. The Warriors individually posted numerous season-highs including WSU's top performers Kelly Johnston (9.625) and Kennedy Utz (9.575) who each finished sixth on bars and floor respectively. Prior to this past weekend's meet, WSU opened up the 2019 season at the Best of Minnesota meet hosted by the University of Minnesota. Placing third with a score of 182.325, the Warriors were sandwiched between fellow WIAC schools Hamline (183.5) and Gustavus Adolphus (182.175) with the host Gophers winning the meet with a score of 195.6. Kelly Johnston took home the highest individual score for the Warriors on the balance beam (9.575) while teammate Natalie Koehler wasn't far behind with a 9.525. 
 
RISING STARS: After losing a good crop of talent to graduation this past season, the Warriors look to rely on the young talent as Natalie Koehler is the lone senior on the squad. Winona State returns a healthy crop of nine juniors who look to carry the team in 2019. Winona State also welcomes nine newcomers to the squad in hopes that they help boost WSU to compete in the WIAC this season. Kaitlyn West showed some early improvement this past weekend against Lindenwood. The freshman finishing eighth in each of her three events scoring 9.4 on beam, 9.325 on vault and setting a new season-high on her floor routine with a 9.45.