MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 17, 2024) – The West Virginia University gymnastics team earned a season-high 196.000 and second-place finish in a quad meet at No. 16 Minnesota with Air Force and Northern Illinois, as it wrapped up the regular season inside Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers’ final score marked their first 196.0+ score of the season, as they posted season-high totals on the uneven bars and floor exercise. WVU reached a 49.275 on floor, as well as a 49.1 on bars. The total marked the squad’s first 49.0+ score on bars since March 10, 2023, as well as its highest mark since March 19, 2022. Elsewhere, West Virginia scored a 48.75 on vault and a 48.875 on balance beam.
WVU’s 196.0 total was good for second place in the quad meet, while the host Golden Gophers took first place with a 197.725. Northern Illinois finished behind the Mountaineers in third with a 195.875, while Air Force took fourth with a 195.125.
Opening the meet on floor, West Virginia recorded four scores of 9.85 or higher, led by a season-high matching 9.9 from fifth-year senior Abbie Pierson. Senior Ellen Collins and freshman Amber Lowe were just behind her with a pair of 9.875s. Junior Sierra Muns captured a season-high 9.85, before senior Kiana Lewis capped the scoring with a 9.775.
WVU hoped to carry its momentum to vault but faced some adversity in the second rotation. Sophomore Emma Wehry led the way with a 9.8, while Pierson and junior Brooke Alban tallied 9.775s. Lewis added a 9.75, and freshman Jayden McDonnell’s 9.65 wrapped up the vault scoring.
The Mountaineers came back in a big way on bars, with four of the five scoring gymnasts earning a 9.8 or higher. Lowe matched her career high with a 9.875 to pace the lineup. Wehry and junior Anna Leigh posted a pair of 9.825s, marking a season high for Leigh. Sophomore Miranda Smith earned a 9.8, and McDonnell tallied a 9.775 to help WVU reach its first 49.0 score this season.
With just beam remaining, West Virginia needed a solid score to reach the 196.0 threshold. Following a fall in the leadoff spot from Smith, the remainder of the lineup stepped up to the challenge to deliver five hit routines. Wehry once again paced the squad with a career-high 9.9, before a pair of 9.825s from Pierson and Leigh followed her. Freshman Julia Brown posted a 9.725, and Lowe’s 9.6 in the anchor spot was crucial to cancel out the leadoff fall and reach the 196.0 final score.
In the all-around, Pierson posted a 39.1 total on all four events to finish in fifth in the final standings. Elsewhere, Lowe tied for third on bars.
Next up, WVU puts its sights on the 2024 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship, hosted by No. 1 Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday, March 23. Competition inside the Lloyd Noble Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the championship will be broadcast on ESPN.
Press Release Courtesy of West Virginia University Athletics Communications
