The DIIIsmount: Week Six

It was a stellar weekend in Division II/III gymnastics, as evidenced by the long list of top scores this week! In USAG standings, Bridgeport registered two strong performances to overtake Lindenwood for the top spot—though with Lindenwood’s senior star Kierstin Sokolowski returning to action soon and Texas Woman’s recording the first 195 of the DII/DIII season, expect a tussle for that ranking over the next few weeks. In DIII action, UW-La Crosse held onto its No. 1 position, and Brockport and UW-Whitewater swapped the No. 2 and No. 3 places once again, with the Golden Eagles ahead this week.

Texas Woman’s recorded a season high at a home quad on Sunday, as well as setting a national milestone: Its score is the first 195 by a DII/III or USAG team in 2018. The Pioneers also set event highs on every event but beam. Brandi Lazarus tied a career high to lead the vault rotation, and Bria Northrop set a new one on bars, recording a 9.875. The Pioneers scored two 9.800+ marks on beam but also counted a fall—remarkably, given the final score. As with last season, TWU has massive room to grow, and its path to 196+ is clear. In the last rotation, the Pioneers required three strong final scores to drop an error and surpass the 195 mark, and their upperclassmen delivered; Erin Alderman scored a 9.850 in the fourth spot, and Mallory Moredock and Schyler Jones concluded the meet with matching 9.900s, matching or exceeding their season highs.

Competing at Cornell just across town from its home gym, Ithaca hit its highest team total in program history. The Bombers also registered program high bar and floor scores. Two Ithaca gymnasts tied program records in individual results: Paige Landes’ 9.800 on beam tied her own program record set earlier this year, and Victoria Gery’s 9.875 on floor tied a record that was last hit over five years ago. Six other gymnasts tied or set career highs to lead the Bombers to their record-setting mark. In week six rankings last year, Ithaca was ranked 10th in Division III; this year, it has climbed to No. 4.

While Brockport finished last in this meet, it should be proud to have achieved another 190+ soore. At this stage in the season, that mark is the gold standard for Division III gymnastics. Junior Candis Kowalik continued her great run of beam form to register a meet-winning 9.850, as well as picked up the all around title. West Chester’s Jessica Meakim and Myranda Marshall earned the other two event titles, and while the Golden Rams had a difficult day, especially on bars, it’s very promising to be hitting more 9.800+ scores as the season progresses.

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Article by Rebecca Scally