KAYLA DRAKE | Multimedia Producer

Lindenwood’s gymnastics placed first in all four events ahead of Winona State University Friday night, making the final score 194.550 to 183.950.

The entire team averaged 48.350 for vault, 48,950 for bars, 48.550 for beam and 48.700 for floor.

The win makes Lindenwood’s record 1-1. Previously, the Lions finished fourth at a meet at University of Illinois Jan 13. 

Head Coach Jen Llewellyn said the team only had one full day of practice to prepare and work on the details for the meet Friday night.

“Last week it was a little bit shaky from the beginning and halfway through we figured out our rhythm and we came back into the gym this week and we really had to buckle down,” she said.

This meet the Lions improved their overall score by 2.025 from Jan 13. Llewellyn said the team was able to make their vault and floor routines tighter to achieve a higher score.

“They were able to get the jitters out (at University of Illinois) and were able to be themselves and do the gymnastics they’ve been doing all preseason.”

Sophomore Courtney Mitchell was a standout, earning top scores in three out of four events: bars, beam and vault. Mitchell even matched a program record of 9.900 on the bars. 

“I normally practice really well… so I kind of was like stay focused, it’s just another practice, because putting on a sparkly leotard doesn’t really change that,” Mitchell said.

Next, Mitchell said she wants to work on landings and details like straight legs and pointed toes to follow her team’s motto of getting one-tenth better every meet. 

“It was great to finally see her kind of find her rhythm and not let her nerves or emotions affect her,” Llewellyn said about Mitchell’s performance Friday night.

Junior Breanna Franklin earned the best floor performance with a score of 9.800.

Next the Lions will travel to Ames, Iowa to compete against Iowa State University on Jan 27. 

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