UW-Eau Claire women’s gymnastics defeated the Hamline University (Minn.) last Friday in the Mcphee Physical Education Center. The Blugolds won on uneven bars and beam, ending the meet with 182.85 points, while Hamline finished with 179.6 points.

Several athletes who were unable to compete during the preseason due to injuries were able to compete again in this meet, head coach Jean Delisle said.

“We had some injured competitors that have been out through the beginning of the season,” Delisle said, “and we had them back in tonight, so that was really fun.”

Junior Erin Olson and freshman Kiya Bjorge were two Blugolds who returned to action.

Olson, who had bruised cartilage and muscle in her ribs, competed on beam for the first time since mid-December.

“It’s such a great feeling and everyone was so supportive,” Olson said. “… It was really nice having the support of my teammates.”

Olson and Bjorge both competed on beam.

Delisle said another “great” moment of the meet was Liz Stubbs’ performance. Stubbs scored a 9.45 on beam and a 9.35 on floor.

“You know, Liz Stubbs had a great meet,” Delisle said. “She started out struggling just a little bit this season and she really put it together tonight. That’s another big highlight.”

Eau Claire’s Tori Erickson scored the highest of the night with a 9.525 on beam.

“This team is so passionate about each other, and about the team,” Delisle said. “I think that’s one of their biggest strengths. They really do believe in what they can do as a team.”

Olson said this meet helped bring their team a lot of energy going forward.
“It’s really cool, because we can move from event to event,” Olson said, “and if we have a mistake on one event we always make sure to pick it up on the next.”

Eau Claire will compete at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Mitchell Hall Gymnasium in La Crosse.