By Nick Austin (@NickAustin723) – Senior Staff Writer | Sophomore Devyn Valuch on the Balance Beam at the Mountain West Championship (Photo courtesy of Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear reporter)
The Spartans gymnastics team chalked up for the last time this season as they competed in the Mountain West Championships.
The Spartans placed third as a team with a cumulative score of 195.350 as they faced Utah State, Boise State, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Four Spartans finished first in their respective disciplines as seven total Spartans were on the podium.
Junior Mikaela Pitts and graduate student Madison Kirsch tied for the vault title with a pair of 9.850 scores.
“I think everyone had something to be proud of today and had some of our best routines of the year,” Kirsch said. “I know I had one of my best routines of the year.”
Senior Sophia Konieczny scored a career-best and tied for first with a 9.900 on the uneven bars. This marked the first time a Spartan had scored a 9.900 on the uneven bars all season.
“Personally, that was one of the best bar routines I’ve ever competed,” Konieczny said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better last routine as a Spartan.”
Freshman Madison Gustitus tied her season-high on the balance beam as she also tied for first with a 9.875.
Sophomore Devyn Valuch finished with a career-best in the all-around with a 39.100 which also put her in second for the championship.
The floor routine saw freshman Ava Johnson graduate student Jaudai Lopes and Valuch complete a seven-way tie for second as they scored 9.850.
“I couldn’t be more proud of who they are as people,” head coach Joanne Bowers said of her team.
While the Spartans did not win the Mountain West Championship, they led through the middle of three out of the four disciplines.
“In the first three rotations, that’s the most fun I’ve ever seen them have as a group,” Bowers said.
Bowers described this year as a “struggle at times” as the team had meets where they struggled to put together four consistent scores across the four routines. However, Bowers touted the ability of the team to power through and maintain a level of positivity throughout the struggles.
This was highlighted in a lengthy huddle Bowers had with her team after the final routine in the meet.
“They could’ve easily hung their heads and gave up a long time ago, Bowers said. “Nobody gave up and everybody stayed positive and stayed together.
With this result, the Spartans are not eligible as a team for the NCAA regionals, and as a result, this iteration of the team comes to an end.
Bowers emphasized the importance of taking a break, not only for the returning members but for the coaching staff as well. She pointed out that they are hard at work looking towards next season and excited for the future of the program.
“We’ve learned a lot of lessons this year,” Bowers said. “ I know our future’s bright.”
