Niles leads Seawolf gymnasts to victory in home finale

Anchorage (Feb. 22) - Led by individual victories from Jada Niles on uneven bars and balance beam, the UAA gymnastics team finished its home season Sunday with a 191.650-187.675 win over Centenary the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Seawolves (4-6) also got career-best 9.725 efforts from sophomore Maribelle Albert and freshman Tessa Richardson on vault as they scored a season-best 48.300 on that apparatus.

"I thought we performed some of our best gymnastics of the season today," said UAA head coach Marie- Sophie Boggasch, whose team earned its second-best total in seven meets, behind Friday's 192.125 score. "It was wonderful to see Jada and Ariana DeSouza go out with victories in their final home meet, and our underclassmen stepped up with big performances."

UAA took control of the meet early by sweeping the top four spots on vault, led by Albert, Richardson, sophomore Verena Wong (9.675) and junior Jamilia Duffus (9.625). Albert and Richardson's 9.725 scores also represented UAA season highs on vault.

A junior from Ontario who is foregoing her final year of eligibility, Niles took the victory on bars with a 9.7 in her final home meet. Junior Claudia Lessig was runner-up with a 9.575, helping the Seawolves to four of the top five places on bars.

Niles continued her hot streak on beam with a UAA season-best 9.8, while freshman Alexandra Karkowski and Lessig were part of a four-way tie for third on the podium with 9.7s.

UAA clinched the dual victory on floor behind a win from DeSouza at 9.675 and a runner-up showing by sophomore Jordan Grindol with a 9.625.

The Seawolves get a week off before finishing the regular season Mar. 12 and 14 at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Find live video and scoring links at GoSeawolves.com.