UW-La Crosse Places Second at Air Force Triangular; Three Gymnasts Win Individual Event

For Immediate Release: Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse gymnastics team opened its 2008-09 season with a second-place finish at the U.S. Air Force Academy Triangular Friday night in Colorado Springs. The Eagles finished with 183.850 points while the Air Force was first with 188.125 and UW-Eau Claire third with 171.500.

Three UW-L gymnasts captured individual event titles Friday night. Gabi Hooper, who has won the last two National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) vault titles, took the vault Friday with a score of 9.725. The Eagles' Jackie LaFleur tied for fourth (9.525) while Jenna Swails was eighth (9.300) and Kahlynn Hunt tied for 10th (9.275).

Kelsey Matula tied for first on the uneven parallel bars Friday with a score of 9.425. She tied with Air Force's Abbey Rogers. UW-L's Chelsy Luck tied for fifth (9.050) while Mackenzie Howard was eighth (8.850), LaFleur ninth (8.725) and Erin Sommer tied for 10th (8.675).

Sommer also tied for first on the balance beam with a score of 9.550. Rogers also scored 9.550 to tie Sommer. LaFleur was third (9.425) for the Eagles while Matula tied for fourth (9.400) and Howard was eighth (9.225).

Hooper was UW-L's top finisher on the floor exercise, placing fourth overall with a score of 9.625. LaFleur finished sixth (9.425) and Howard ninth (9.250).

In the all-around competition, LaFleur was fourth (37.100) for the Eagles and Matula finished fifth (36.775).

For complete team results, click here.

For complete individual results, click here.

UW-L returns to action Friday, Jan. 16 at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational at 6:30 p.m.