MENOMONIE, Wis. – The UW-Stout gymnastics team made history Thursday night, shattering the program's all-time team score record with a 191.900. The Blue Devils' dominant performance propelled them past three-time defending national champion and No. 1-ranked UW-Oshkosh (191.150) as well as Winona State (189.900) in a highly competitive tri-meet.
The night started strong on vault, where Stout posted their second-highest score of the season (47.925), a mark that now ranks eighth in school history. Anna Mielke (9.575) and Gillian Cummins (9.625) each recorded season-best performances, while Taylar Schaefer tied her season-high with a 9.700, leading the Blue Devils to a solid start.
Momentum carried over to the uneven bars, where Stout delivered a record-breaking performance with a 48.700, nearly a full point higher than the previous school record. Emma Brittingham led the way with a stellar 9.825, setting a new school record. Effie Ferguson (9.750), Jamie Beatty (9.750), and Sarah Lutz (9.750) all tied for the third-best bars score in program history, with Lutz recording a career-best. Gillian Cummins continued her strong meet, matching her season-high with a 9.625.
The Blue Devils navigated a challenging balance beam rotation, finishing with a 46.950. Effie Ferguson was the highlight of the event, scoring a 9.700 to take second place overall. Cassidy Lennard (9.450) also delivered a solid routine to help keep Stout in contention.
With the meet still up for grabs, Stout closed out the night on floor exercise with a standout team performance, scoring a 48.325—the fifth-best floor total in program history. Ferguson and Isabela Krulich impressed the judges, tying for first place with matching 9.725s. Mielke added a season-best 9.650, while Jamie Beatty (9.650) and Kaylie Kassing (9.575) also contributed strong scores.
Cummins capped off her excellent night with a 9.500 on floor, securing the all-around title with a total of 38.000. Beatty finished second in the all-around with a 37.550, giving Stout a one-two finish in the meet's overall individual results.Â
With a new school record in the books and a statement win over the nation's top-ranked team, the Blue Devils solidified their place among the best in Division III gymnastics, and continue to work towards a NCGA Championship berth. Stout will look to build on this historic performance as they hit the road for their next competition, traveling to Gustavus Adolphus College next Friday, February 28th at 6 p.m.
