Feb. 1, 2017

The UW-Whitewater gymnastics team tallied its third straight win, defeating UW-Eau Claire 189.300-186.475 on Jan. 28 at home.

The Warhawks’ team score ranks 20th in the program record book, and it added a top-10 mark as a team on the parallel uneven bars (47.925, 7th).

“It is great for our team to start off the season like this,” senior Katie Fiorilli said. “We learn and grow from each meet. We know we will continue to improve from here.”

The undefeated Warhawks (3-0 overall) swept all four team events, and sophomore Lisa O’Donnell took the all-around title with a 37.725.

Fiorilli won the vault with a score of 9.650, and was followed by junior Lewa Evans and senior Courtney Pickett, who each tallied a 9.575 to tie for second.

“I am super proud of this team for setting those obstacles aside, and focusing on improving our performance during each practice and meet,” Fiorilli said. “We are a very hard working group, and our determination will take us far this season.”

The Warhawks commanded the uneven parallel bars, racking up six of the top seven scores in the meet. Senior Mackenzie Smith paced the Warhawks with a 9.725, which tied for the No. 14 score in program history. O’Donnell finished second with a 9.675, and was followed by junior Kate Mierow with a 9.600. Junior McKenzie Foster and Fiorilli rounded out Warhawk scoring with scores of 9.500 and 9.425..

O’Donnell claimed individual first place on the balance beam with a 9.675. Pickett finished third with a 9.625, and sophomore Franchesca Hutton was fourth with a 9.575. Freshman Lauren Marshall placed sixth with a 9.300.

Pickett led the way for the ’Hawks in the floor exercise with a 9.650, and Evans tied for third with a 9.500. Freshman Acacia Fossum was fifth with a 9.375, and O’Donnell (9.050) and Fiorilli (8.925) finished ninth and 10th, respectively.

Head coach Jennifer Regan was reached out to but was not heard back from at press time.

Following the match, Fiorilli said she was ready for what comes next for
the season.

“Our team is excited for the opportunity to face off against some big competition,” Fiorilli said. “Our coaches are really great at bringing passion and fire into the gym and they will definitely bring it for
the meets.”

UW-W heads to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, next week for a Division I quad meet at the University of North Carolina to face off with the Tar Heels, Towson and William & Mary at 6 p.m on Feb. 3.