Oshkosh gymnastics sneaks past Hamline

The gymnastics team overcame five first-place finishes by Hamline University (Minn.) en route to winning its home event by a score of 176.250-175.850.

Although the Titans were able to come away with the victory against the Pipers, head coach Lauren Karnitz keeps the team's focus on securing a top-three finish at the Regional Championships in order to qualify for nationals.

"All meets leading up to our Regional Championship is just practice for us," Karnitz said. "I think that our continual progress as a team will allow us to be the best we can be at the most important meet of the season."

UW Oshkosh recorded a season high in points for the balance beam against Hamline, as the team tallied a total score of 44.85 lead by freshman Leah Herchenbach who finished second with a score of 9.450.

Other notable finishes in that event were from upperclassmen Jill Lindberg (9.175, 4th) and Abby Zubella (9.100, 5th).

Zubella said she understands the importance of her team needing to execute the routines to the highest level with minimal mistakes.

"All the gymnasts on our team have amazing routines, and for us to be successful we need to hit our routines without mistakes," Zubella said. "I have seen everyone do this in their routines and if we can keep this up during a meet we will be unstoppable."

Freshman Leane Blais finished in the top two for the uneven parallel bars event for the fourth consecutive event as she took second place with a score of 9.050.

She is seeing many improvements individually as well as a team.

"I was really able to prove that I can be consistent on the bars which really boosted my confidence," Blais said. "As a team we really showed we can work together and support each other through anything."

Zubella said she feels having a coach that was a gymnast here at Oshkosh is very beneficial to her and her fellow teammates.

"She wants us to make it to nationals just as much as the gymnasts do," Zubella said. "Since she was a gymnast here she knows exactly what we are going through and can relate to us on another level, it's all great."

The Titans will continue their season at Kolf Sports Center on Friday at 6:30 p.m. as they will compete against four-time defending national champions and fellow conference rival, UW-La Crosse.