The Gustavus gymnastics team lost at home on November 10th, falling to UW Oshkosh 183.425-179.875 at Sponberg Gymnastics Studio. The Gusties did, however, tally a season’s best 46.575 on the vault while also registering scores of 44.000 on the bars, 43.625 on beam and 45.675 on the floor.
Sophomore Leah Heilig and Junior Amanda Malo led Gustavus on the vault, sharing second place with scores of 9.400. Malo held the best score on the floor with a score of 9.400, putting her in second place overall in the event. Heilig also scored a season best of 9.325 on the floor, good enough for third place.
Junior Veronica Vasina scored 9.000 on the bars to lead the Gusties while Junior Samantha Ardy led the way on beam for the Black and Gold with a score of 8.875, placing six overall.
“We are hoping to make important adjustments this week and have momentum going into our meet in Baltimore.” — Coach DeGrood
Leading the way in all around was Malo, who finished with a score of 36.15 to place third. She was followed by Ardy who scored a cumulative 36.050 overall.
“There were bright spots throughout the day but also things that need to be improved upon. We are hoping to make important adjustments this week and have momentum going into our meet in Baltimore,” Coach Aryn DeGrood said.
The following week, the Gusties finished third behind Southern Connecticut State and Townson this past Sunday at Townson University.
Although the Gusties are not getting the team results they were hoping for in many competitions this season, some individuals are having some standout performances in recent meets. The team also saw itself set multiple season bests in recently.
The Gusties accumulated 184.925 points in the competition, good for the fourth highest point total in the program’s history while putting them behind SC State’s 190.825 and Townson’s 195.450. Malo and Ardy finished second and third, respectively, in all around competition.
The Gusties set season-high point totals in three of their four events, scoring 47.425 on vault, 47.475 on floor and 45.400 on beam. The Gusties also compiled a score of 44.625 on bars.
“The team did exactly what we needed and turned in the best beam performance of the year and it continued from there into floor and vault. I was very proud of the fight and determination in them today on those last three events,” DeGrood said.
Malo led the way on vault and the floor routine with scores of 9.550 and 9.650, respectively. She also finished with a career-high all around score of 37.950, good for second best at the meet.
“It’s been such a fun, and busy, trip for us. We were able to cap it off with a season-high score which was a huge accomplishment. But we certainly have lots of room for improvement,” DeGrood said.
Malo led the Gusties on bars along with Vasina as they both scored 9.500 in a tie for tenth place in the event. Townson’s Kyla Gamble obtained the highest score in bars with a total score of 9.800. Junior Katy Trunk produced the best beam performance for Gustavus with a score of 9.450, placing ninth. Townson’s Gabriella Yarussi led the event with a score of 9.950.
“Individually, we had so many personal bests. It was really fun to see their hard work rewarded and see so many personal records set.” — Coach DeGrood
“Individually, we had so many personal bests. It was really fun to see their hard work rewarded and see so many personal records set,” DeGrood said.
Next up for the Gusties is a home event against Winona State University on Friday at Sponberg Gymnastics Studio followed by a trip to Hamline University for a dual meet on Sunday.