The UW Oshkosh Titans gymnastics team picked up its second victory last Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus University, defeating the Golden Gusties by a score of 183.425-179.875, improving its record to 2-3.
This meet also saw another Titan, junior Dana Locascio, set a few new season bests on the way to victory, as she scored 9.100 and 9.450 on vault and beam, respectively.

LoCascio said she was happy to perform as well as she did in her favorite event, where she earned a season best from that night.

“My favorite was the balance beam,” LoCascio said. “Beam has always been my favorite event since starting gymnastics, so I’m happy to accomplish new season bests on it.”

The Titans took victories in all four events that afternoon. Senior Amanda McBrayer took first in the vault event with a score of 9.425, sophomore Baylee Tkaczuk was victorious on both the bars and beam with 9.325 and 9.600, respectively and junior Bailey Finin placed first in the floor exercise with a 9.425.
Finin said keeping a positve mindset and energy going into the floor event really helped the team going forward.

“I always make a point to have a positive mindset before entering each meet,” Finin said. “I like to rely on my work in practice the week before and just remain confident during my routine. One of the main things I like to incorporate into the floor rotation is having fun and making it a party. This really helps keep the energy of the lineup elevated to where we can perform at our best.”

The Titans are going to need to be at their best for their next meet, as, on Friday, the team battles at home against the defending Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, UW-Whitewater Warhawks.

Head coach Lauren Karnitz said she is looking for a few things from the Titans as they go up against Whitewater and head into the Conference championship.

“Just strengthening our team as a whole, and then the confidence part, just keeping that going so they know what to do towards the end of the season,” Karnitz said. “Because really all that matters for us is how they do as a team in that last meet at the Conference regionals. As individuals the whole season counts, but for the team, when it comes down to it we just need to hit on that day. So it’s just building our confidence right now.”

A great confidence builder for UWO might be picking up a win against the defending Conference champions and rival Warhawks. Oshkosh will be looking to rise to the challenge of UW-Whitewater and, after that, the challenge of the WIAC Championship.