2003 WIAC Women's Gymnastics Championship Recap

UW-La Crosse won the five-team meet with a score of 182.575, while UW-Eau Claire finished second at 180.325, host UW-Oshkosh third at 179.45, UW-Stout fourth at 175.60 and UW-Whitewater fifth at 162.55. It was the highest finish for UW-Eau Claire since 1983 and the 24th time in 25 years that UW-Oshkosh had finished in the top three.

UW-La Crosse claimed only one of five individual championships as Angela Erato won the uneven bars with a score of 9.025. The Eagles, however, displayed solid depth as they placed at least two gymnasts in the top-six finishes in the balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars and vault competitions.

Alison Eagles of UW-Eau Claire stole the individual headlines as she finished first in the all-around competition and on the vault with scores of 37.10 and 9.325, respectively. Eagles, who shared the top spot on the vault with UW-Oshkosh's Melissa Cummins, also finished fifth in the floor exercise and sixth on both the balance beam and uneven bars. Cummins also took top honors on the vault in 2000 and 2001.

In addition to Cummins, UW-Oshkosh also had Brianna Lentz win the floor exercise with a score of 9.80 and Jennifer Williams the balance beam with a figure of 9.50. Williams was one of four contestants to share the balance beam crown a year ago.

Finishing behind Eagles in the all-around competition were Lentz at 36.50, UW-Whitewater's Ann Kingsnorth at 36.425, UW-Stout's Lacey Schroedl at 35.575, UW-Stout's Tiffany Reber at 35.525 and UW-Eau Claire's Kristin Reitzel at 35.25.

Joining Eagles and Cummins as top performers on the vault were third-place Jessica Pink of UW-Eau Claire with a score of 9.30, fourth-place Nancy Petersen of UW-La Crosse at 9.275, fifth-place Jordann Ojanpa of UW-La Crosse at 9.175 and sixth-place Kingsnorth and Lentz at 9.10.

Following Erato in the uneven bars standings were second-place Kingsnorth at 8.95, third-place Darlene Benedetti and Melanie Rigby of UW-La Crosse and Lentz at 8.90 and sixth-place Eagles at 8.90.

Williams was followed by UW-Eau Claire's Lynn Morris on the balance beam with a score of 9.475. The top-six finishers were completed by third-place Jenna Houle of UW-La Crosse at 9.45, fourth-place Petersen and Cummins at 9.375 and sixth-place Eagles at 9.30.

In order behind Lentz in the floor exercise were second-place Houle at 9.775, third-place Williams at 9.725, fourth-place Reber at 9.65, fifth-place Eagles at 9.60 and sixth-place April Hubmann of UW-Whitewater at 9.575.

The top six finishers in the four events and the all-around competition receive All-WIAC accolades.

Kerrie Beach of UW-Oshkosh was named WIAC Coach of the Year, while Williams was chosen as the Judy Kruckman WIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.