Winona, Minn. - The Winona State University women's gymnastics team will host their first competition of the 2021 season on Friday, March 12, as the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Eagles make the short trek to WSU for a dual meet, beginning at 5pm in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial court.
For the Warriors, Friday's meet will be their second competition this year, having previously competed at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in February. Per Covid-19 protocols established by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), each WIAC gymnastics program will compete in four dual meets, two home, two away. For 2021, National Collegiate Gymnastics Conference (NGCA) Regional and National meets will not be held.
About the home opener, Interim head coach
Aixa Evenson noted, "Every chance we get to showcase the talent and passion of our gymnasts is exciting for us. With this meet honoring our seniors in our home facility, we take the opportunity as a total gift. Our seniors,
Anna Hiller,
Shelsea Zehr and
Cora Geiger, have been nothing short of outstanding in their leadership this year."
Evenson went on to say, "My advice to the team was to go have fun doing what you love. Even though we only have three seniors, their absence in the years to come will not only be noticed, but honored, as they bring diversity, competition and high academic standards to our program."
In their first competition
at UW-Whitewater, the Warriors scored a 177.425 as a team and were led by
Kaitlyn West with a pair of top Warrior scores in the vault (9.350) and balance beam (9.275).
Izzy Kropiwiec was WSU's only all-around competitor on the day, notching a 33.925 score against the Warhawks.
UW-La Crosse also has one event under their belt, having hosted UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, Feb. 27. The Eagles topped the Titans in a close dual contest, registering strong team scores on the vault (47.500), uneven parallel bars (47.225), balance beam (46.850) and floor exercise (46.575). On the day, UW-L was paced by Kacey Mortenson
, who took the all-around title.
The live stream for Friday's event is available on the
NSIC Network found at
www.nsicnetwork.com/winonastatewarriors/
Evenson concluded her thoughts on the Senior Day meet with, "We wish both Anna and Shelsea good luck as they head to physical therapy school and Cora her continued success as she pursues medical school back home in Canada. We started this season with a win, and we are jazzed about what is to come this Friday as well!"
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
Media Contact: Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu
