The Gustavus Gymnastics team traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Stout last weekend to compete in the WIAC/NCGA West Regional Meet. With strong performances on vault, bars, and floor, the Gusties totaled 184.725 and took home sixth place.

Last year the Gusties hosted the regional event at the Gus Young Court, earning fifth place out of eight teams with a season-high score of 185.725 in front of their home crowd. That score was the third best team score in school history.

This year, coming into the event, the Gusties ranked seventh out of eight teams in the WIAC with a season average score of 182.364.

On the season, Senior Amanda Malo leads the Gusties with a 37.650 in the all-around, which ranks fourth in the WIAC. She also ranks fifth on the floor with a top score of 9.700.

Senior Sam Ardy leads the team with a 9.600 on the bars while First-year Sophia Redding leads the team on the vault with a score of 9.525. Senior Katy Trunk holds the top score on the beam with a 9.450.

Seniors Ardy and Malo both received All-Conference honors last year and hoped to continue their success at this year’s regional meet.

The Gusties got a slow start on the beam, with their best finish coming from Senior Sam Ardy, who scored a 9.450. Fellow Senior Katy Trunk scored a 9.250 to tie for 23rd place. As a team, the Gusties totalled 43.900.

On the floor, the Gusties were exceptional as usual. Senior Amanda Malo led the way with a career-high 9.750 that was good for third place out of all competitors.

Katy Trunk and First-year Brooke Merila also posted career-highs on the floor with scores of 9.650 and 9.625. They finished 13th and 14th on floor.

The Gusties’ team score of 48.150 was a season-high and the third best team score on the floor.

“We started off really rocky but turned it around in a big way on floor. Our floor was outstanding,” Head Coach Aryn DeGrood said.

On the uneven bars, Ardy and Malo produced phenomenal performances once again. They each garnered scores of 9.500, which tied a career-best for Malo, and tied for fourth place overall.

First-year Sophia Redding also produced a solid score of 9.175. The Gusties totalled 45.950 as a team on the bars.

Finally, the Gusties were solid from top to bottom on the vault, with each gymnast earning a score above 9.000.

Malo was the top performer, earning eighth place with a score of 9.400. First-years Redding and Merila also excelled with scores of 9.375 and 9.500, respectively. Ardy turned in a score of 9.325, and Junior Leah Heilig scored 9.275 to round out the Gusties’ total of 46.725.

“Overall it was a good meet. Our floor was outstanding. And vault and bars were solid as usual. Individually we had lots a great things happen. Katy Trunk had an incredible night on beam and floor. Ardy and Malo were rock solid as always for us,” DeGrood said.

For most of the team, this was the last competition of a successful season for the Gusties.

“I am extremely proud of this team and everything we accomplished this year,” Degrood said.

Based on their results last weekend, Malo and Ardy were both named to the NCGA All-Championship team for the bars, and Malo was named for floor as well. The All-Championship team recognizes the top five performers from each region and the gymnasts with the five highest season average scores.

In addition to the All-Championship honors, both Malo and Ardy as well as First-year Brooke Merila qualified for the NCGA National Championship in the all-around competition.

They will travel to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on March 22-23 for the Championships.