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Issued: March 16, 2008

SIX GYMNASTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A week after the UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team took fourth at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Regional, six Blugold gymnasts have now qualified for NCGA Nationals, officials announced today.

While the West Regional took place last weekend, the East Regional was not until last night, so all the gymnasts Eau Claire would qualify were yet to be determined, following the conclusion of the East Regional.

Kristi Olson (Sr.-Minnetonka, Minn.) and Anna Sutherland (Jr.-Arden Hills, MN/Roseville) had already qualified after last weekend, but four other gymnasts found out they were in as well today. Kerri Ritsche (Fr.-South Range, Wis./Superior) will represent Eau Claire on the vault, Brittany Adams (Sr.-Maple Grove, Minn.) on the beam, Samantha Howard (So.-St. Paul, MN/Henry Sibley) on the uneven bars and Lauren Strecker (Fr.-Little Canada, Minn./Roseville) will compete on the bars and the floor exercise. Sutherland is set to compete on vault for Eau Claire, while Olson will be an all-around competitor.

Olson is making her fourth trip in her career to nationals, and Sutherland will be going for her third time. All the other Blugolds will be competing for their first time.

The NCGA National Championships will take place on March 28 and 29 in Cortland, New York.

- KM -

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