WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Lindenwood gymnastics ends their 2024 season by capturing the 2024 USAG National Championship held in West Chester, Pa. This marks the program’s fifth overall USAG championship and the second of back-to-back titles.
“Wow. This team never ceases to amaze me,” said head coach Catelyn Branson after winning back-to-back titles. “They gave their entire heart and soul into every routine from the beginning to the end. They had the impossible task this season of putting all of the heartbreak and adversity behind them and being undeniable regardless. There is no doubt that out legacy will be felt by so many for a very long time.”
TEAM STANDINGS
- Lindenwood – 195.700
- Texas Woman’s – 195.450
- Air Force – 194.850
- West Chester – 193.525
LINDENWOOD’S TOP PERFORMERS
INSIDE THE SCORES
- Lindenwood came out on Saturday starting on beam where they scored a 48.475. Despite it being the lowest score for the Lions, Lindenwood picked up some key scores including a 9.800 from Hannah Appleget. It marked Appleget’s best beam score in the last four meets as she finished in sixth place. Jaly Jones (9.725) and Jaidan Kossuth (9.700) also finished in the top ten.
- The Lions then moved on to the floor exercise where they posted a score of 48.950. Nya Kraus shined as she finished in a tie for first with TWU’s Sophie Hernandez with a score of 9.850. Jones also made a strong appearance being the next highest finisher for the Lions with a score of 9.825 finishing in third. Gayla Griswold and Reese Baechle rounded out the Lions group finishing in a tie for sixth with a score of 9.775.
- Rotation three put the Lions in a position to make a first-place push heading into the finals. Lindenwood scored a 48.900 on vault during the third rotation. Griswold ended her illustrious Lindenwood career with a score of 9.850 on vault finishing second overall. It was her best score since February 11th. Allie Berkley ended the night with a 9.825 on vault which was her second highest of the season. She finished in a tie for fifth. Baechle and Trinity Caffey finished in a tie for eighth with a score of 9.750.
- Heading into the final rotation in program history, Lindenwood had a slight edge over Texas Woman’s (146.275) and Air Force (146.000) with a score of 146.325. The Lions came out scoring a program best 49.375 on bars to clinch their fifth USAG National Title. Both Kaylee Cooper and Hannah Moon came up big for the Lions as they scored a 9.900 on bars. For Cooper it marked her career high on bars while Moon finished with her second highest score of the season. All six Lions finished in the top ten on bars including Cooper and Moon (1st), Kraus (4th), Appleget/Baechle (T-6th) and Jones (T-10th).
WHAT’S NEXT
Lindenwood will compete on Sunday in West Chester during the individual portion of the weekend. Session four will start at 12:00 p.m. CT tomorrow afternoon. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.