Winona, Minn. - The Winona State University women's gymnastics team is set to travel to Oshkosh, Wis. for a Thursday, March 18 dual meet against the UW-Oshkosh Titans. The competition is scheduled to start at 5pm in the Kolf Sports Center.
The Warriors (1-1 WIAC) are coming off their first home meet of the year held on Friday, March 12, in which they hosted the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, falling to the Eagles, 189.200 to 179.225. WSU opened the season with a 177.425 - 165.800 win over the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater on Feb. 27.
Head coach
Aixa Evenson said, "We've regrouped this week and are eager to be competitive on Thursday. This year has been fun because we get to try a different sequence of competitors at each meet. More than any other year that I have been with the program, we have a high level of difficulty within each routine, and everyone has risen to the challenge."
The Titans are also 1-1 on the year, having most recently defeated UW-Eau Claire 183.825 - 175.150 on Thursday, March 11. UW-O opened their season with a loss against UW-La Crosse, 188.150 - 185.600. UW-Oshkosh head coach Lauren Karnitz and her team were WIAC champions in 2020 and finished second in the league in 2019.
With two competitions under their belt, Winona State has received strong performances from several Warriors, including freshman
Taryn Sellner, junior co-captain
Hailey Bryant and freshman
Lydia Anderson.
When asked about Sellner, Evenson noted, " Taryn has delivered stellar performances week after week on floor exercise. She has exceedingly passed expectations and continues to earn between the 9.4 and 9.6 range from her start value of 10.0. She's in our competitive lineup for floor and beam this week where we expect her to be a high score earner for the team." Sellner, a Mankato West High School product, was a team captain for the Scarlets prior to her collegiate career.
Bryant, from Timber Creek High School in Ft. Worth, Texas, has been another bright spot in the Warriors line-up. "Hailey hit all three of her events of vault, bars, and floor for us at our home meet last week. She is easily one of our most consistent competitors and aside from setting the tone for how our team responds, she's added more difficulty in her routine on bars, with little prep time, and was successful in each of those additions last week."
Another newcomer that has stood out for the coaching staff is
Lydia Anderson. "Lydia flies under the radar with having beam as her only competitive spot this year, but she easily captivates any audience with her rock-solid beam routine. She earned a career high of 9.4 at our home meet and we anticipate that to only increase as we maneuver her position in lineup where she undoubtedly is always successful for us," said Evenson.
The Warriors and Titans last faced each other in a dual meet on Jan. 30, 2020. UW-Oshkosh pulled out a narrow victory in the match-up, 184.275-188.55.
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
