After a tough loss to No. 1 UW-La Crosse last week, the No. 2 UW-Oshkosh gymnastics team bounced back, defeating No. 5 Winona State (Minnesota) by a final of 192.65-191.075 on Feb. 13 in the Warriors’ McGown Gymnasium.
On the opening rotation for UWO, senior Lydia Hayden paved the way for the Titans on the uneven bars with a score of 9.75, the highest number on the event between the two teams. Sophomore Hadley Bretschneider also placed on the podium in the event, adding a 9.7 onto the scorecard for UWO. The third highest score for the Titans came from senior Reanna McGibboney, who scored 9.625. However, it did not match up to the vault rotation that the Warriors brought to the meet. After the first rotation, the Titans trailed Winona State 48.275-47.5.
In the vault portion, UWO was able to gain ground towards the lead. McGibboney soared against the competition, winning the event with a score of 9.825. Junior Kasha Muraski and senior Amaya McConkay also had big scores for the Titans, receiving 9.725 and 9.7 respectively, giving both of them top-five finishes for the black and gold. At the halfway mark of the meet, UWO surpassed the host Warriors with an ever-so-narrow 95.9-95.4 lead.
The Titans saw another event title be crowned to them in the third rotation, as junior Jay Ratkowski finished in first place with the score of 9.85. Sophomore Jurnee Warkentien was the second highest scorer for UWO, as her routine resulted in a 9.575, with freshman Ome Ellis rounding out the top three for the Titans with her routine score being a 9.55. Although both teams put low numbers on the scorecards in the third, the Titan gymnasts were able to outscore the Warriors by 0.525. Heading into the fourth and final rotation of the evening, UWO continued to hold the line, leading Winona State 143.9-142.875.
Oshkosh sealed the victory in the balance beam portion of the meet, with Ellis and Hayden leading the way in scoring and individual placements.
Ellis won the title with a score of 9.85, while Hayden snatched second with a 9.775 for UWO. Freshman Sam Dorrity rounded out the top three finishers for the black and gold, as she added a score of 9.75 onto the scorecard.
The Warriors attempted to make one last push for both the lead and victory, but UWO stood their ground and managed to cross back into Wisconsin with the meet win.
The Titans improved to 4-1 in duels this season following the victory.
They conclude their five meet road trip around the midwest on Feb 19 against in-state foe No. 6 UW-Eau Claire. First rotation in the McPhee Physical Education Center is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
