Feb. 4, 2015 By Connor Moore
School records were falling left and right as the Warhawks gymnastics team took on the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire at home this past Saturday, winning 189.600-183.950.
The Warhawks began its night on the vault, something that it has done with success as of late. Sophomore Kate Fiorilli, with a score of 9.8, tied a program record. In addition to that, Fiorilli tied the record for best vault score by a UW-Whitewater gymnast, a record that was set by former Warhawk Justine Weyer and tied by Fiorilli herself just last year. Four other Warhawks scored above a 9.5, sweeping the top five spots in the vault to give the Warhawks a total vault score of 48.275, breaking the record just set in the previous week.
“I love coming to work every day. Not too many people can say that,” head coach Jennifer Regan said. “They make it so much easier for me because we’re like a big family, and they make it enjoyable and fun.”
The Warhawks also swept the top five spots on the uneven bars, led by Fiorilli and Courtney Pickett tying for first with a score of 9.525. Grayson Esslinger, Stephanie Cross and Cici Talcott all had a score of 9.45, securing the event sweep with a three-way tie for third place. The 47.400 total in the event was the Warhawks’ eighth-best team total in program history.
On the balance beams the Warhawks had a total score of 46.225, led by Hannah Lee with a 9.525, followed by Pickett with a 9.45 and Steffi Heuer with a 9.325.
The Warhawks finished the meet with floor routines, having two Warhawk gymnasts tying for third (Firorilli and Talcott with scores of 9.575) and a fifth place finish by Heuer (9.55).
Regan saw a lot of progress in her team’s performance Saturday, given what the team had to deal with throughout the week.
“We’ve kind of struggled with some injuries and sickness,” Regan said. “So that’s the biggest thing. We continue to move forward and take one step at a time.”
The meet was also Alumni Day, as well as the team’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness meet. The proceeds went toward Unite for HER Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aids the families of gymnasts who are stricken with breast cancer. Regan, who said the team focuses on every meet with a different mindset, also acknowledged the significance surrounding the meet.
“Our alumni talked to us before the meet,” Fiorilli said. “They told us not to take anything for granted. To have fun, take a deep breath before each routine, and just enjoy the moment.” Fiorilli said that the talk helped her relax, saying, “I told myself I’m going to do what I do best, give it my all, and have fun with it.
As for the upcoming meets, Regan and Fiorilli shared the same sentiment of improving.
“I take every meet as if it’s practice for the bigger meet,” Fiorilli said. “I’m going to try my best and improve from this last meet, and also just try to get better.”
