MENOMONIE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team finished sixth out of eight teams at the 2011 WIAC Championships, which also serve as the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Region qualifier, at UW-Stout tonight.
UW-Whitewater captured the conference title, its second straight, with a score of 189.275 while UW-La Crosse was second with 186.325. UW-Stout finished third with 184.150. All three teams qualified for the NCGA National Championships, which will be held at UW-Eau Claire March 25-26. The Blugolds, who finished with 182.725 points, will also compete as a team at nationals.
The Blugolds' score of 182.725 was their second highest total of the season and the best score they have ever achieved at the WIAC Championships.
Danielle Schulzetenberg (So.-Maple Grove, Minn.) had the Blugolds' top finish in three events. She finished tied for third in the floor exercise with a score of 9.675. On the balance beam, she took fifth place with a 9.525, a season-best mark. Schulzetenberg also took sixth in the all-around with a score of 37.100, a career-high.
On the uneven bars, Olivia Aschenbrenner (Fr.-Cedarburg, Wis./Grafton) had the Blugolds best finish as she tied for 11th with a score of 9.075. Sarah Hulbert (Sr.-Waukesha, Wis./North) had Eau Claire's best finish on the vault, taking 12th place with a score of 9.500.
Following the championships, Lanai Peer (So.-Prior Lake, Minn.) was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. Members of this team are honored for displaying excellent sportsmanship throughout the season.
