The Warhawks matchup with UW-Eau Claire Saturday was nothing short of a record performance for the Warhawk gymnastics squad.
With no doubt, the ’Hawks proved they came ready to compete.
This was exactly the type of performance the ’Hawks needed as they go on the road Friday night to face the defending national champions, UW-La Crosse Eagles.
“It’s going to be a tough meet this Friday,” senior Allison Nelson said. “We have to come together as a team and show everybody we are here to fight.”
On a night dedicated to breast cancer awareness and former alumni Saturday, the team scored a season-high and new school record in points to defeat UW-Eau Claire, 190.05-185.1.
“The team performed really well this weekend, everyone came out and they showed what we can do,” Nelson said. “We all came together and we were very excited about it.”
The motivated 4-0 team fought hard to remain undefeated in a competition that was close the whole way through.
On vault, the ’Hawks broke a school record scoring 47.925 points which put them slightly ahead early on. With one solid performance after the other in bars, the ’Hawks tallied 47.475 points, another school record.
In the final two events of the night, the ’Hawks threw a string of solid performances together to pull out an outstanding victory.
Individually, the ’Hawks had a top finisher in all four events.
First place gymnasts included Nelson on vault with a 9.675, freshman Allyse Dieringer on bars with a 9.725, sophomore Katie Thompson on floor with a 9.70, and Dieringer and Thompson tied on beam with 9.70.
Dieringer and Thompson’s score tied for fourth best in UW-Whitewater record book.
“I went out there and showed people what I can do and just got things done,” Nelson said about her first place finish on vault.
Her score also tied her for eighth in the school record book.
Thompson also earned first in the all-around performance, scoring a career and school record-high 38.475. In every event, Thompson set new career highs.
It was a record night for many ’Hawks gymnasts.
Eleven ’Hawks registered a career high score in at least one event.
Even a season high of points scored by the ’Hawks’ opponent couldn’t outshadow the shining team.
