Seawolf gymnasts earn victory in home opener

Anchorage (Jan. 23) - Sophomore Jordan Grindol paced a big effort on balance beam and the UAA gymnastics team got strong three-event showings from junior Jamilia Duffus and senior Madelyn Gomez on Friday to earn a 190.275-171.300 victory over Wilberforce in its home-opening meet at the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Seawolves (1-1) recorded the 19th-best beam total in 40 years of program history with a 48.550 score, led by career highs from Grindol (9.775), senior Breeann Spain (9.75) and freshman Alexandra Karkowski (9.725). Junior Claudia Lessig also had a 9.75 on beam on her way to a 37.625 all-around score.

"I thought we made some nice improvements over our first meet and put together good routines on all four events," said UAA head coach Marie-Sophie Boggasch. "Our beam lineup was excellent and showed that we can have a very strong team on that apparatus this year."

UAA swept the podium on vault, uneven bars and balance beam, including victories for Duffus on both vault (9.65) and bars (9.675). Grindol's victory on beam was the first of her career, while Duffus recorded her second and third individual wins.

Sophomore Maribelle Albert and Gomez scored 9.55 and 9.475, respectively, on vault, while Gomez was runner-up on bars with a 9.6.

Wilberforce's Diamond Cook took top honors on floor with a 9.6, followed by UAA senior Ariana DeSouza, Duffus and Gomez, who tied for second with 9.575s.

The Seawolves and Bulldogs meet for a rematch Sunday at the Alaska Airlines Center. Find tickets, live links and more at GoSeawolves.com.