Division III gymnastics was hurt the most by COVID-19 regulations. The WIAC will be looking forward to its first full season since 2019 after abbreviated seasons the last two years. Having only four competitions in 2021 didn’t allow any of these conference foes to really hit their stride. This will be a rebuilding season for the conference built on the backs of large freshman classes. Look for which freshmen and returners are able to step up, increase the routine difficulty and bring the consistency this season.
We’re getting back into the groove of things and returning to the status quo for the 2022 season (as much as we can at least!). That means it’s time for our annual potential lineups analysis! With preseason training in full swing for most teams, we’re breaking it all down and taking a look at every squad’s prospects for the upcoming season—from who’s expected to contribute, holes that need to be filled and exciting upgrades fans should look out for.
No. 58 UW-La Crosse
With seven incoming freshmen and two fifth-year athletes, La Crosse will be a team full of competitive routine options this season.
| Losses: | Alexis Sands (BB), Sabrina Essma, Eugenie Schraufnagel |
| Gains: | Sara Beck, Rachel Chesley, Annie Clarmo, Kyla Dickson, Sheena Graham, Abby Mitchell, Jessica Taylor |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Madi Vanderpool (9.563 avg), Megan Hawkins (9.513), Kacey Mortenson (9.494), Alex Wood (9.450), Katie Saladin (9.338), Emma Grant (9.313), Keira Boetel (9.300), Audrey Kaufman (9.250), Jenna Danninger (8.875), Sara Beck, Rachel Chesley, Abby Mitchell, Jessica Taylor
How It Looked Before: Vault was the Eagles’ most consistent event in 2021, scoring over 47.200 at every meet.
How It Looks Now: La Crosse will look to increase the difficulty level on the event this season to better its scoring potential. New additions like Rachel Chesley and Kyla Dickson will push the vault lineup in the right direction.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Increased depth and difficulty on this event will have vault trending up this season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kerrie Legault (9.531 avg), Madi Vanderpool (9.519), Molly Lyngaas (9.325), Kacey Mortenson (9.275), Emma Grant (9.113), Claudia Walter (8.988), Cate Sandvik (8.600), Katie Saladin (8.025), Rachel Chesley, Annie Clarmo, Kyla Dickson
How It Looked Before: The bar lineup depended on strong performances from Kerrie Legault and Madi Vanderpool. The rest of the lineup scored fairly inconsistently.
How It Looks Now: Rachel Chesley and Kyla Dickson will contribute big skills that will improve the start value potential of the bar lineup this year. Jessica Taylor also has the potential to step in and contend for a lineup spot.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? The top performers from last season combined with the scoring potential of the freshmen should cause bars to trend up this season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Olivia Opheim (9.563 avg), Emma Grant (9.419), Marisa Zepeda (9.388), Kacey Mortenson (9.344), Audrey Kaufman (9.333), Jordyn Faust (9.100), Megan Hawkins (8.813), Sara Beck, Rachel Chesley, Kyla Dickson
How It Looked Before: Olivia Opheim proved herself to be a solid beam performer. The rest of the lineup was capable of putting up big scores but struggled with consistency.
How It Looks Now: With many regular performers in the 2021 lineup returning, the Eagles should struggle less with consistency this season. Returners will show the freshmen how to confidently compete in a college beam lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Consistency will be the determining factor on this event. The Eagles have plenty of talent on beam to have an uptick in performance, but will they be able to stay on the equipment when it counts? Only time will tell.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Emma Grant (9.583 avg), Kacey Mortenson (9.456), Jenna Danninger (9.438), Olivia Opheim (9.388), Jordyn Faust (9.119), Audrey Kaufman (9.113), Madi Vanderpool (8.925), Katie Saladin (8.475), Sara Beck, Rachel Chesley, Kyla Dickson, Abby Mitchell, Jessica Taylor
How It Looked Before: Floor finally started to hit its stride toward the end of the season, led by performances from Emma Grant and Kacey Mortenson.
How It Looks Now: The incoming class is full of athletes capable of contributing to a college floor lineup. Sara Beck and Jessica Taylor look particularly strong here, but don’t count out the rest of the freshmen either.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? The depth on floor this year will be insane! With so many routine options, this event is bound to trend up in 2022.
Overall Outlook
UW-La Crosse has one of the largest rosters in the NCAA this season. With that comes the potential for great depth on all events. Incoming freshmen bring an increase in difficulty and start values that will help the team to improve on previous results.
No. 59 UW-Oshkosh
Hello freshman class! Over the past few seasons, Oshkosh has been increasing its competitive level by recruiting more athletes capable of competing higher start value routines. This year is no different.
| Losses: | Naya Haynes, Paige Mayhew (BB) |
| Gains: | Delaney Cienkus, Zoe Krull, Nina Lattuca, Mia Lucero, Gia Migliorese, Meaghan O’Connor, Elizabeth Romano, Daejah Rose, Ella Wilson, Samantha Zeilinger |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Trinity Sawyer (9.531 avg), Haley Volstad (9.394), Rahdea Jarvis (9.325), Kaylie Berens (9.263), Audrey Koester (9.213), Emily Buffington (9.075), Emily Gilot (8.950), Haley Minor, Kennedy Springer, Delaney Cienkus, Nina Lattuca, Mia Lucero, Gia Migliorese, Daejah Rose
How It Looked Before: Trinity Sawyer proved she was capable of putting up huge numbers on vault with a season high of 9.775. Oshkosh went for the higher start value vaults across the board but didn’t always come up with solid landings.
How It Looks Now: Delaney Cienkus’ Yurchenko tuck full will be a nice addition to the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? This should be one of Oshkosh’s best vault lineups in recent years. There’s a combination of experienced performers and newcomers with the potential to add more twisting vaults to the lineup.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Emily Buffington (9.494), Emily Gilot (9.425), Trinity Sawyer (9.413), Kaira Hammond (9.300), Rahdea Jarvis (9.288), Haley Volstad (9.225), Kaylie Berens (8.888), Adana Amor (8.650), Skylar Manning, Delaney Cienkus, Zoe Krull, Nina Lattuca, Mia Lucero, Meaghan O’Connor, Samantha Zeilinger
How It Looked Before: Bars was up and down last season due to inconsistency. However, all the single bar releases performed in this lineup were positive predictors of what to expect in seasons to come.
How It Looks Now: Oshkosh will have the potential to add more 10.0 start value routines to its lineup this season with the addition of Zoe Krull, Meaghan O’Connor and Samantha Zeilinger.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars should improve this season with the addition of so many potential bar swingers. Oshkosh returns its strong core of experienced performers, so expect them to lead the way.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Kaira Hammond (9.625 avg), Mackenzy Walvatne (9.375), Emily Buffington (9.233), Olivia Keller (9.181), Rachel Morris (9.163), Haley Volstad (9.150), Kaylie Berens (9.100), Audrey Koester (9.025), Leia Randall (9.013), Haley Minor, Zoe Krull, Elizabeth Romano, Ella Wilson
How It Looked Before: Beam was another event that experienced some inconsistency. This lineup felt the loss of Kaira Hammond after the first meet of the season.
How It Looks Now: With Haley Minor upgrading for her senior season and the addition of Ella Wilson, we should see more triple series this season! Hammond’s return to the lineup should also strengthen the team’s performance.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With more time to work out the kinks at the beginning of the season this year, beam should improve in 2022.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Olivia Keller (9.625 avg), Haley Volstad (9.381), Emily Buffington (9.313), Emily Gilot (9.163), Rahdea Jarvis (9.125), Kaylie Berens (8.988), Audrey Koester (8.700), Rachel Morris (8.300), Kennedy Springer, Meaghan O’Connor, Elizabeth Romano, Daejah Rose, Ella Wilson
How It Looked Before: Olivia Keller was a consistent foundation to the floor lineup.
How It Looks Now: Keller will continue to lead the way. Expect other returners such as Rahdea Jarvis, Emily Gilot and Emily Buffington to make improvements over last season.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Oshkosh has the skill potential to do well on floor this season. It’s too early to tell if landings will be reigned in enough for the scores to match the team’s potential.
Overall Outlook
Expect to see an Oshkosh team that more closely emulates the team that walked away with the WIAC conference title in 2020 than the 2021 squad. Increased difficulty on vault and bars will help the Titans to contend for another championship.
No. 60 UW-Stout
After shooting to the top of the conference in 2019, the last two seasons have not been as kind to Stout. Inconsistency was a theme in 2021, but the return of Mikala Bugge from injury should help relight a spark for the Blue Devils.
| Losses: | Shadae Boone (VT, UB, FX), Maddie Mullenbach (VT, BB, FX), Olivia Rosenow (UB) |
| Gains: | Emma Brittingham, Effie Ferguson, Isabela Krulich, Abigail Rose, Gabrielle Winstead |
| Returning From Injury: | Mikala Bugge (Achilles rupture) |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kiara Bruening (9.467 avg), Carlie Beatty (9.263), Kiara Brown (9.1), Madison Latzke (9.108), Jensen DeJong (8.967), Emma Brittingham, Mikala Bugge, Isabela Krulich
How It Looked Before: Vault was highlighted by the only Yurchenko one and a half in Division III from Shadae Boone.
How It Looks Now: Stout is training to add more twisting vaults to its lineup. Only time will tell if those upgrades will materialize on the competition floor. Bugge is one of many looking to upgrade this season.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Without Boone’s scoring potential, vault will likely trend down this season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kiara Bruening (9.050 avg), Kiara Brown (8.656), Jenna Jones (8.506), Genevieve Czaplewski (8.194), Jensen DeJong (7.863), Jackie Bertrand (7.100), Emma Brittingham, Isabela Krulich, Effie Ferguson, Mikala Bugge
How It Looked Before: Bars was Stout’s lowest scoring event in 2021.
How It Looks Now: Effie Ferguson’s powerful swing will lead the lineup this season. The returners will need to step up and make improvements on this event for the overall team score to improve.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars will trend slightly up this season, but I’d expect this to remain Stout’s weakest event.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Genevieve Czaplewski (9.413 avg), Carlie Beatty (9.363), Kiara Bruening (9.181), Kailyn Westbrook (9.144), Kiara Brown (9.000), Bridgette Allen (8.892), Effie Ferguson, Gabrielle Winstead, Mikala Bugge
How It Looked Before: Genevieve Czaplewski led the charge of a rebuilding beam lineup.
How It Looks Now: Ferguson’s triple series will bring difficulty to the beam lineup this season. Adding difficulty and consistency will be necessary for the team’s success.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Beam should remain about the same this season.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Carlie Beatty (9.294), Kiara Brown (9.281), Kiara Bruening (9.158), Genevieve Czaplewski (9.131), Jensen DeJong (9.000), Emma Brittingham, Effie Ferguson, Isabela Krulich, Abigail Rose, Gabrielle Winstead, Mikala Bugge
How It Looked Before: Floor was led by senior Boone, while Bugge’s absence was felt.
How It Looks Now: Floor will welcome back Bugge with open arms this season. Emma Brittingham’s performance quality and Isabella Krulich’s difficulty will be a one-two punch in the floor lineup this year.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? The floor lineup will miss Boone’s consistent performance, but the addition of the freshmen this season should make up the difference.
Overall Outlook
Stout should slightly improve this season, but this will still be a rebuilding year for the Blue Devils. Boone’s vault and floor scores are not ones that can be easily replaced. A successful season will depend on the team’s ability to improve consistency on bars and beam.
No. 61 Winona State
Winona State’s 2021 season was highlighted by consistent performances from Shelsea Zehr and Taryn Sellner. However, the team was unable to reach its full competitive potential in the abbreviated season.
| Losses: | Cora Geiger (BB), Anna Hiller(UB, BB), Shelsea Zehr (VT, UB, FX) |
| Gains: | Kendra Aitken, Gabrielle Gray, Camdyn McSweeney |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kaitlyn West (9.200 avg), Katie Curtis (9.088), Breanna Ho (9.088), Izzy Kropiwiec (9.081), Hailey Bryant (9.063), Jessie Gallier (8.800), Maya Fernando (8.650), Kendra Aitken, Camdyn McSweeney
How It Looked Before: Top performers on vault consistently scored above 9.000. Shelsea Zehr and Kaitlyn West led the way.
How It Looks Now: A couple of good Yurchenko layouts are being added with this freshmen class. Focusing on landings will help the Warriors to improve on last year’s performance.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Vault should trend slightly down or remain the same. Time will tell.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Emma Lamping (8.750 avg), Hailey Bryant (8.719), Hannah Matuszak (8.717), Kaitlyn West (8.519), Izzy Kropiwiec (8.363), Breanna Ho (8.188), Allison Crescimanno, Camdyn McSweeney, Gabrielle Gray
How It Looked Before: Bars was the Warriors’ lowest scoring event in 2021. Winona State did not have time to hit its stride and gain consistency on this event.
How It Looks Now: The three freshmen and the returners will need to step up the difficulty level and consistency to make bars a more successful event. Camdyn McSweeney has a blind change combination that could fit into the bar lineup nicely.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars will remain about the same in 2022.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Taryn Sellner (9.200 avg), Kaitlyn West (9.050), Lydia Anderson (8.994), Quinnlan Burger (8.888), Izzy Kropiwiec (8.250), Gabrielle Johnson (8.125), Kendra Aitken, Gabrielle Gray, Hailey Doherty
How It Looked Before: Taryn Sellner proved to be a solid leader in the beam lineup. Overall, the team struggled with inconsistent performances on this event.
How It Looks Now: Gabrielle Gray is capable of bringing difficulty to the Winona State beam lineup. Expect Taryn Sellner to continue to lead the way. Those who gained competitive experience last year will show improved consistency this season. Quinnlan Burger has been working upgrades this offseason that will fit nicely into the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect beam to trend slightly upward.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Taryn Sellner (9.363 avg), Callie Van Dyck (9.208), Hailey Bryant (8.869), Katie Curtis (8.800), Izzy Kropiwiec (8.481), Ashley Roth (8.250), Kendra Aitken, Gabrielle Gray, Camdyn McSweeney
How It Looked Before: Winona State was lead by consistent performances from Shelsea Zehr followed closely by Taryn Sellner.
How It Looks Now: All three of the freshmen are capable of contributing to the lineup on this event. Taryn Sellner will continue to excel as well.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Floor will notice the loss of Shelsea Zehr’s score. However, the increase in depth should allow for more competition for the top six lineup spots. This will result in floor trending slightly up.
Overall Outlook
Overall, Winona State will benefit from having a full slate of competitions. This team tends to peak in the latter half of the season, so 2021’s numbers are likely not fully indicative of Winona’s competitive potential. Expect the Warriors to trend slightly up in 2022.
No. 62 Hamline
Hamline returns most of its competitive routines from the 2021 season. With the addition of four new freshmen, the competition for lineup spots should be steeper this year.
| Losses: | Tisana Lowe (left team), Mary Kelly (VT, FX), Emma Patterson (UB) |
| Gains: | Julia Cheely, Lily Ramsdell, Livia Isackson-Rod, Mia Schafer, Brianna Weikel, Meighan White |
| Returning From Injury: | Jailyn Robinson (foot surgery), Madeline Sowinski (foot surgery) |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Nikki Johnsen (9.344 avg), Emily Anderson (9.175), Nadia Abid (9.100), Danielle Jaworski (9.044), Madison Lieurance (8.983), Elizabeth Schauer (8.675), Julia Cheely, Meighan White
How It Looked Before: Vault was one of Hamline’s best events last season with its highest percentage of athletes averaging above 9.000.
How It Looks Now: Expect Nikki Johnson to continue to lead the way here. Look for upgrades and improved landings on this event to improve overall team score.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Vault will trend slightly up.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Danielle Jaworski (8.663 avg), Nikki Johnsen (8.569), Madeline Sowinski (8.544), Carolina Schlawiedt (8.313), Elizabeth Schauer (8.000), Madison Lieurance (7.975), Julia Cheely, Brianna Weikel, Lily Ramsdell
How It Looked Before: Bars was Hamline’s lowest scoring event last season.
How It Looks Now: Returners who gained experience from 2021 will lead the way to improving consistency on the event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars will likely remain about the same this season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Madeline Sowinski (9.381 avg), Nikki Johnsen (9.256), Katie Kalland (9.219), Bailee Davis (9.050), Emily Anderson (9.000), Katie Viles (8.750), Madison Lieurance (8.742), Savannah Tafolla (8.600), Brianna Weikel
How It Looked Before: Beam featured Hamline’s highest scoring team event total of the year with a 47.100. The lineup was led by consistent performances from Madeline Sowinski, Nikki Johnsen and Katie Kalland.
How It Looks Now: Brianna Weikel has the potential to add difficulty to the beam lineup that will improve the team’s scoring potential.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Madeline Sowinski (9.356 avg), Elizabeth Schauer (9.150), Danielle Jaworski (8.800), Bailee Davis (8.769), Katie Kalland (8.713), Katie Viles (8.492), Emily Anderson (7.600), Julia Cheely
How It Looked Before: Madeline Sowniski led the way with her consistent performances. Overall, floor improved each week.
How It Looks Now: If fully healthy, Madeline Sowinski will continue to lead the way here. Returners who gained experience last season will continue to improve. Including Katie Viles’ front double full, keep an eye out for upgrades on floor in 2022.Â
Trending up, down or too early to tell? It’s too early to tell how floor will trend in 2022.
Overall Outlook
If Maddie Sowinski is in full health, she could help lead the Pipers to a slightly improved season in 2022. The freshmen have the potential to make some waves in the lineups, especially on bars.
No. 63 Gustavus
Annie Corbett made a bit of a splash last season, becoming the Gusties’ most valuable performer on three of the four events. However, inconsistencies across the board kept Gustavus from reaching its full potential. A huge freshman class should help pad the lineups across the board in 2022.
| Losses: | Shae Anderson (medical retirement), Annie Gladitsch (BB), Alyssa Teper (VT, FX) |
| Gains: | Lindsay Bangs, Ella Binfet, Adi Dack, Cecilia Gerlach, Lili Guy, Lily Horsch, Olivia Jahnke, Marley Michaud, Alaina Syverson |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Annie Corbett (9.4 avg), Abby Willis (9.313), Emma Esteb (9.267), Lauren Smith (9.175), Sophia Nelson (9.158), Brooke Merila (9.138), Katy Cash (8.942), Lindsay Bangs, Lili Guy, Lily Horsch
How It Looked Before: Vault proved to be the Gusties’ most consistent event of the season with Annie Corbett and Abby Willis leading the way.
How It Looks Now: Expect Annie Corbett to continue to lead the lineup on vault. The freshmen should increase the depth by contending for lineup spots as well.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect vault to remain about the same.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Annie Corbett (9.013 avg), Abby Willis (8.888), Katy Cash (8.475), Kendra Smaby (8.400), Brooke Merila (8.225), Sophia Redding (8.219), Ella Binfet, Alaina Syverson
How It Looked Before: Annie Corbett also shined on this event with the only season average above 9.000.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen and the returners will need to step up to add to the depth of difficulty on this event. Annie Corbett will continue to lead the way here. Expect more consistency from returners, such as Brooke Merila and Kendra Smaby.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Consistency will play a major role in the success of the bar lineup this season. It’s too soon to tell if the Gusties will improve on this event.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Annie Corbett (9.194 avg), Emma Esteb (8.938), Kendra Smaby (8.900), Brooke Merila (8.788), Sophia Redding (8.408), Katy Cash (8.350), McKenna Zelenka (7.763), Lindsay Bangs, Cecilia Gerlach, Ella Binfet
How It Looked Before: I’m sure you could guess who performed well for the Gusties on beam in 2021… Annie Corbett did not disappoint here either. Inconsistency was the team’s Achilles heel, though.
How It Looks Now: The 2022 beam lineup will be full of experienced performers. The freshmen will add depth while the upperclassmen are likely to be more consistent now with a season or two of experience under their belts.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With more time to figure out consistent lineup performers this season and most of the 2021 lineup returning, the Gusties should trend up some in 2022.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Jenna Griffith (9.300 avg), Brooke Merila (9.294), Annie Corbett (9.292), Emma Esteb (9.269), Abby Willis (9.231), Kendra Smaby (8.450), Caylee Greeder (8.350), Lauren Smith (8.125), Lindsay Bangs, Ella Binfet, Cecilia Gerlach, Lili Guy, Olivia Jahnke, Alaina Syverson
How It Looked Before: Floor elevated itself to the Gusties’ best event at the end of the season.
How It Looks Now: Expect Brooke Merila to be a big contributor to the lineup in her final year. The freshmen will add some raw talent on this event that will help to increase Gustavus’ competitive level.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Overall Outlook
The large freshman class will allow for depth that Gustavus hasn’t had in recent years. More competition for the top six spots on each event will force the Gusties to trend up overall this season.
No. 64 UW-Eau Claire
UW-Eau Claire enters 2022 with a new coaching staff, with former Nebraska gymnast Jessie Deziel at the helm. The team will be eager to improve on the Blugold’s 2021 season.
| Losses: | Ashley Benes, Jada DeBoer (VT, UB, FX), Nicole Delfino (BB), Andrea Gessner (VT), Victoria Perron (VT), Kaitlyn Trunkel |
| Gains: | Rachel Lindner, Andrea O’Connell, Bailey Thomas, Harriet Toth |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Mallory Walerko (9.113), Tia Ravara (9.056), Kelsey Donovan (8.988), Christina Leikam (8.892), Katy van Natta (8.425), Andrea O’Connell, Bailey Thomas
How It Looked Before: The three senior athletes led vault to be one of Eau Claire’s best events in 2021.
How It Looks Now: Andrea O’Connell has the potential to compete a twisting vault. That upgrade will put Eau Claire in a better position for higher scores.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With the loss of half of its 2021 lineup, expect vault to trend slightly down this season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Tia Ravara (8.975), Christina Leikam (8.743), Liliana Shank (8.288), Emma Barry (8.000), Kaiya Lindhardt (7.819), Andrea O’Connell, Bailey Thomas
How It Looked Before: Bars was Eau Claire’s lowest scoring event, but Tia Ravara proved she is capable of putting up the big scores when she notched a season high of 9.525.
How It Looks Now: Tia Ravara will continue to lead the way with her difficult release combination. Bailey Thomas is capable of adding another single bar release to this lineup to up the scoring potential.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? A majority of the 2021 bar lineup returns this season. With the extra competitive experience under their belts, expect a slight improvement in 2022.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Tia Ravara (9.475), Danielle Malecha (8.881), Tayla Thome (8.650), Christina Leikam (8.625), Abby Weber (8.469), Liliana Shank (8.288), Bailey Thomas
How It Looked Before: Tia Ravara led the charge on this event, consistently scoring between 9.375 and 9.550.
How It Looks Now: Much of the lineup from 2021 returns on this event as well. Expect Tia Ravara to only get better.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect beam to look about the same this season with many of the same faces contributing to the top six.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Emma Barry (9.133), Bailey Davidson (9.075), Kelsey Donovan (9.050), Tayla Thome (8.994), Tia Ravara (8.875), Abby Weber (8.500), Taylor Kish (8.250), Bailey Thomas, Andrea O’Connell, Harriet Toth
How It Looked Before: Emma Barry, Bailey Davidson and Kelsey Donovan led the charge. With some landing inconsistencies, Eau Claire was unable to reach its full potential, though.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen will add more depth on this event this season.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Increasing the number of routine options will allow for a slight improvement on floor this season.
Overall Outlook
UW-Eau Claire is another team that should benefit from having a full season to figure out which athletes will prove to be consistent contributors to the lineups. Ultimately, expect Eau Claire to look about the same in 2022 as it did last year. With some events trending up and others trending down, the overall performance should ultimately level out.
No. 65 UW-Whitewater
UW-Whitewater’s season average last year was skewed downward by one low competition score. Expect the Warhawks to be back toward the top of the conference rankings in 2022.
| Losses: | Abi Hair (left team, FX), Vanessa Olinger (BB, FX), Blaise Wilson (VT, UB, BB, FX) |
| Gains: | Brooke Bonnell, Alayna Fern, Gracie Talley, Richella Velarmino, Kara Welsh, Rachel Wieloch |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Meg McGinley (9.488 avg), Morgan McEntire (9.467), Lauren Goble (9.375), Emily North (9.375), Kelsey Kollhoff (9.350), Faith Mylin (9.350), Abby Kappler (9.025), Brooke Bonnell, Alayna Fern, Richella Velarmino, Kara Welsh, Rachel Wieloch
How It Looked Before: Vault was a consistent event for Whitewater last season with most athletes scoring between 9.300 and 9.500.
How It Looks Now: Alayna Fern and Kara Welsh are capable of adding twisting vaults to the top six. That increase in difficulty will help the Warhawks to improve here.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Taiya Stelmachowski (9.408 avg), Emily North (9.338), Estee Flom (8.967), Faith Mylin (8.792), Morgan McEntire (8.783), Kelsey Kollhoff (8.625), Richella Velarmino, Kara Welsh
How It Looked Before: Bars was led by Blaise Wilson and Taiya Stelmachowski.
How It Looks Now: Richella Velarmino adds a beautiful Jaeger to the lineup to improve Whitewater’s difficulty and scoring potential on the event. Kara Welsh can also add her single bar release to the ranks.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Karina Sabol (9.325 avg), Meg McGinley (9.250), Emily North (9.242), Lauren Goble (9.163), Faith Mylin (9.075), Brooke Bonnell, Alayna Fern, Gracie Talley
How It Looked Before: Beam was led by consistent performances from Blaise Wilson scoring in the 9.600 range.
How It Looks Now: Alayna Fern brings solid beam work to Whitewater this season. Overall, the freshman class will help to help beam improve even more in 2022.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? It’s too early to tell whether beam will trend up or down this season.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Faith Mylin (9.575 avg), Karina Sabol (9.513), Meg McGinley (9.242), Maycee Smith (8.800), Kelsey Kollhoff (8.625), Brooke Bonnell, Alayna Fern, Kara Welsh, Rachel Wieloch
How It Looked Before: Floor was Whitewater’s best event on the season with three scores above 47.500.
How It Looks Now: Kara Welsh is capable of upping the Warhawks’ difficulty on floor to give them the extra edge.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Overall Outlook
Whitewater will feel the loss of Blaise Wilson, who has been a consistent all around performer for the Warhawks the past four years. However, the addition of the talented freshmen will leave the Warhawks no choice but to trend up some this season. Afterall, Whitewater’s team ranking in 2021 was not representative of how it performed last season. Its season average was skewed downward by a bar rotation that only included three athletes.
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Article by Tavia Smith
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