Issued: February 6, 2004

GYMNASTS TOP STOUT, FALL TO LA CROSSE

MENOMONIE - The UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team defeated UW-Stout with a score of 176.625 but fell short of UW-La Crosse's mark of 178.050 here tonight at a triangular hosted by the Blue Devils.

Eau Claire moves to 5-8-1 for the season and was led by Lynn Morris (So.-Monticello, IN/Twin Lakes) and Alison Eagles (Jr.-Shoreview, MN/Mounds View) who finished first and second in the all-around. Morris earned first place at the triangular with a score of 36.650. She took second in each the vault, uneven bars, and balance beam while claiming seventh in the floor exercise. Eagles finished with an all-around score of 36.500 via a first place finish in the vault, third place finishes in the uneven bars and floor exercise, and a seventh place finish on the balance beam.

Chelsea Romportl (Fr.-Rice Lake) had a strong showing, claiming third place in the uneven bars, fourth place in the vault, and ninth place in the floor exercise.

The Blugolds return to action next Friday when they battle Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minnesota. The meet will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Team scores: 1) La Crosse 178.050, 2) Eau Claire 176.625, 3) Stout 169.900.

All-Around: 1) Lynn Morris (EC) 36.650, 2) Alison Eagles (EC) 36.500, 3) Ashley Koechel (LX) 35.125, 4) Shanna Kissinger (ST) 34.750, 5) Lesley Rick (ST) 32.475.

Vault: 1) Alison Eagles (EC) 9.400, 2) Lynn Morris (EC) 9.350, 3) Katie Krenz (LX) 9.325, 4) Chelsea Romportl (EC) 9.250, 5) Rhian Paulson (ST) 9.200.

Bars: 1) Nina Schubert (LX) 9.125, 2) Lynn Morris (EC) 8.950, 3) Ashley Koechel (LX) 8.750, 3) Alison Eagles (EC) 8.750, 3) Chelsea Romportl (EC) 8.750.

Beam: 1) Ann Fitzsimmons (LX) 9.350, 2) Lynn Morris (EC) 9.300, 3) Jennifer Houle (LX) 9.200, 4) Kelly Settle (EC) 9.100, 5) Jenni Wick (EC) 9.050.

Floor: 1) Jennifer Houle (LX) 9.625, 2) Rhian Paulson (ST) 9.525, 3) Alison Eagles (EC) 9.500, 4) Nancy Peterson (LX) 9.250, 5) Melissa Marsack (LX) 9.150, 5) Jenny Struve (LX) 9.150.