In a duel against the top two teams in  NCAA Division III gymnastics, the No. 1  UW-Oshkosh Titans fell to the No. 2 UW-La Crosse Eagles 192.450-190.875 at Mitchell Hall in La Crosse on Feb 5.

In the first rotation for UWO, sophomore Averie Evans led the team and won the event with a score of 9.8 on the uneven bars. senior Amaya McConkay scored a 9.75 for the Titans, with senior Lydia Hayden rounding out the top three scorers with a 9.7. All three outscored each gymnast on the entire UWL vault lineup, allowing UWO to take an early 48.325-48.05 lead.

The Titans grew the lead during the second rotation, as freshman Hannah Hughes stuck the landing for UWO on vault, scoring a 9.625 and placing second in the dual to UWL’s Paige Breckwoldt and her score of 9.675. Evans, freshman Ome Ellis, and senior Reanna McGibboney tied on the event with a 9.6. At the halfway point of the meet, the Titans had a 96.3-95.95 advantage over the Eagles.

In the floor rotation, the Titans went stumbling instead of soaring. Junior Jay Ratkowski had the highest score for UWO with a 9.675, giving her a second place finish. Breckwoldt won the event with a 9.7 on the scoresheet for the Eagles. Heading into the final rotation, the Titans trailed UWL 144.45-143.6.

UWO attempted to make up ground and get the victory in the final event of the night. Hughes grabbed up the highest score on the balance beam for the Titans with a 9.6, with freshman Sam Dorrity getting the second highest with a 9.525. However, another strong rotation by UWL allowed the Eagles to extend the lead and claw their way to victory.

With the loss, the Titans had their undefeated season snapped, and fell to a 3-1 dual record this season. UWO continues its five-meet road trip with a matchup against No. 5 Winona State (Minnesota) on Feb. 13, with first rotation beginning at 6 p.m.