Young GymDawgs Start Off 2021 Season

Jan 23, 2021

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Washington GymDawgs kicked off the new season on the road, putting up a score of 192.875 against the Oregon State Beavers. The young Washington team saw four GymDawgs make their competitive collegiate debuts in the meet.

"It was great to be able to get back onto the competition floor after nine months away," said head coach Ralph Rosso. "The experience that our young GymDawgs gained will be instrumental to our success this year."

Geneva Thompson and Skylar Killough-Wilhelm each competed on all-around for the GymDawgs, the first time either gymnast has competed on all-around in their collegiate careers. Thompson had the highest score of any GymDawg in the meet with her 9.900 on vault. Amara Cunningham had a 9.875 on floor.

Killough-Wilhelm, Morgan Bowles, Lauren Thomas, and Katie McNamara all competed collegiately for the first time today. Talia Brovedani made her second competitive appearance for the GymDawgs after missing most of the last two years with injury. Allie Smith also made her return to the competitive lineup after injury cut her 2020 short.

"We needed a hit from Lauren on both bars and floor and she came through for us in those critical moments to keep our momentum moving," said Rosso. "Allie and Amara had standout performances for us on floor and vault. Katie, Morgan, and Talia rallied at the end for us and it really shifted the tide to finish out the night. Geneva and Skylar competed on all-around for the first time and they will continue to gain confidence as they adjust to that new role."

On her first vault of the year, @geneva_lynn3 with a BEAUTIFUL 9.900!#GymDawgs pic.twitter.com/ssrkdC9VXw

— Washington Gymnastics (@UWGymnastics) January 23, 2021

		VAULT
On her first collegiate vault routine, Killough-Wilhelm earned a 9.800. Thompson's score of 9.900 on vault continued her career-long streak of vault scores of 9.800 or higher.

		BARS
Thompson had Washington's highest score on bars with a 9.750.

BEAM

McNamara recorded Washington's highest beam score in her first meet, with a score of 9.750.

		FLOOR
Cunningham's score of 9.875 on floor was her fourth consecutive floor score over 9.800, stretching back to last February. Killough-Wilhelm also earned a score of 9.800 on floor, giving her two scores of 9.800 in her first meet.

Make sure to follow the GymDawgs on Twitter with the username @UWGymnastics and on Instagram at uwgymnastics.