ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Winona State University gymnastics team is flying high into the postseason after posting a 188-187 dual victory at Hamline University on Sunday. Not only was the Warriors' second win in as many meets, but Sunday's point total stands as their 10th-highest in program history.
Kelly Johnston posted the highest WSU event score of the meet with a personal best mark of 9.75 on the balance beam to place first. Sunny Hasebe (9.45) finished fifth on the beam and led the Warriors with a new season-high score of 9.6 on the uneven parallel bars to finish first.
Hannah Matuszak (9.45) and Shelsea Zehr (9.3) placed fourth and fifth on bars while also recording new season-high scores.
Winona State posted the top six scores overall while dominating the vault with a team score of 47.025. Freshman Kaitlyn West took first with a season-best score of 9.475 and was followed by fellow rookie Hailey Bryant in second with a season-high score of 9.375. Anna Hiller, Leah Messelt, Kennedy Utz Zehr each tied for third place overall with matching scores of 9.325.
Collectively, the Warriors scored even higher on floor exercise with a team score of 47.775. Utz finished third overall with a new season-high score of 9.65. Messelt (9.575) place fourth while Zehr (9.55), Katie Curtis (9.5) and West (9.5) each posted season-high marks.
The Warriors will now turn their attention to the WIAC Conference Championship/NCGA Regional on Saturday, March 9. The meet will be hosted by UW-Stout and is set to begin at 2 p.m. in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
