OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's gymnastics team qualified for National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship today after finishing in third place at the 2013 WIAC Championship, which also serves as the NCGA West Regional, at Kolf Sports Center today.
The Blugolds held the top spot the majority of the night but ended up taking third with a school record point total of 186.650 points. UW-Whitewater won its third WIAC title in the past four years with 187.650 points and UW-La Crosse took second with 187.025. The Blugolds bested their previous school record by more than a point as the previous high was 185.600, achieved in 2005.
Eau Claire also set a school record in the floor exercise with a score of 48.775. The previous school record was 47.950, which occurred in 2004. Danielle Schulzetenberg (Sr.-Maple Grove, Minn.) led the Blugolds in the event as she tied a school record with 9.825 points to tie for first. She became just the second Blugold in school history to win the floor exercise conference title. Alison Eagles won the event in 2005.
On the balance beam, Michaela McCamey (Jr.-Dayton, Ohio) and Olivia Aschenbrenner (Jr.-Cedarburg, Wis./Grafton) tied for second place to lead the Blugolds with 9.575 points.
Rachel Behmer (Sr.-Maple Grove, Minn./West Lutheran) had the top score for Eau Claire on the uneven parallel bars as she tied for eighth place with 9.175 points.
On the vault, Cece Solem (Sr.-Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley) led the Blugolds as she came in 10th place with 9.400 points.
Following the championship, McCamey was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team, which was chosen for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school.
This is the second straight year the Blugolds finished in third place at the conference championship.
The Blugolds will now compete at nationals, which will be contested March 22-23 at UW-Whitewater.
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