Gymnastics Team Competes in Div. III Championships
On the weekend of Mar. 5, the Wilson gymnastics team traveled to Cortland, New York to compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Women's Gymnastics championships. At this competition, the team had their best meet of the season, and many of the gymnasts received their top scores of the season.
Mandy Grahn ‘13 says, "It was a really fun meet with a great atmosphere, which helped everyone contribute to the team."
Alex Howard Qualifies for National Championships
Alex Howard ‘13 had an outstanding meet. She scored a career high balance beam score of 9.0 and also qualified to compete at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Division III National Championships on Fri, Mar. 25 and Sat, Mar. 26 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This national competition consists of the top three teams from each regional conference, as well as the top individual qualifiers for each event and all-around. Howard qualified as an all-around competitor, so she will be competing on all four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
Head coach Kirsten Mull says, "It is so exciting that Alex made Nationals – it's such an accomplishment! I am so proud of her!"
Wilson Gymnasts Earn Career High Scores
Howard's teammates also performed well. Several gymnasts received career-high scores.
Laura Beck ‘12 scored a career high on the balance beam (8.95) and season high on uneven bars (8.45): Beth Bush ‘11 scored her season high on balance beam (8.55) and all-around (31.25): Mandy Grahn ‘13 received career high scores on floor exercise (8.75) and all-around (33.3), and a season high score on vault (9.075): Monique Pare ‘11 had her career best score on floor exercise (9.1): Sam Vance ‘11 had her career best all-around score of 35.6. The team as a whole performed well, scoring a season high of 171.2.
Kirsten Mull Awarded ECAC Head Coach of the Year
The gymnasts were not the only ones who excelled at the competition. Coach Mull was awarded the ECAC Head Coach of the Year. Coach Mull said, "It is such an honor to get this award!" Previous Wilson gymnastics coach Amy Martelli received this award last year.
Grahn and Mull are both looking forward to next season. "It was a good meet to end the season on. I feel like we peaked at the right time. Next year I want to continue where we left off and just keep improving," Coach Mull said.