EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (www.blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire gymnastics team kicked off their 2024 season on Thursday night as they hosted a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Triangular with UW-Whitewater and Winona State University (Minn.) in town. The Blugolds held a strong showing during their season opener with second place team finishes in every event and an overall 2^nd place finish as a team with 186.900 points.
 
Harriet Toth (Jr. – Regina, Saskatchewan/Martin) led the Blugolds on the vault with a team high 9.525 points and tied for 5^th place overall finish. Emily Leese (Fr. – Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) and Cadence Cordova (Fr. – Boise, Idaho/Renaissance) posted the next highest Blugold scores on the vault during their UW-Eau Claire debuts. Leese finished tied for 8^th overall with a 9.400 and Cordova slotted into 11^th with a 9.350. UWW's Chloe Hammond earned the top spot on the night with a 9.600. UWEC recorded a 46.775 as a team on the vault.
 
During their second event of the evening, the Blugolds tallied a team score of 46.075 on the uneven bars. Tia Ravara (Sr. – San Leandro, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd) posted the highest Eau Claire score and a 2^nd place finish with a 9.575 routine. Erin Donovan (So. – Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard East) made her Blugold debut on the bars and tied for 5^th place with a 9.375. Harriet Toth and Brooklyn Einck (So. – Olathe, Kan./Blue Valley West) rounded out the top ten for Eau Claire. Toth tied for 8^th with a 9.325 and Einck tied for 10^th with a 9.300. UWW's Kelsey Kolhoff held the highest score of the night on the bars with a 9.675.
On the balance beam, Tia Ravara once again led UWEC with a team high 9.625 and a 2^nd place finish. Meghan Dahlin (Fr. – Holly, Mich.) was close behind in her collegiate debut with a 3^rd place finish and a 9.600. Harriet Toth held the next highest Blugold score with a 9.375 and a 9^th place finish. WSU's Bryce Stoltz placed 1^st overall with a 9.700 and UWEC tallied 46.725 point as a team.
 
In their final event of the evening, the Blugolds posted their highest team total with 47.325 points on the floor. Molly Campbell (So. – Lincoln, Neb./Northeast) and Harriet Toth placed the highest for UWEC as they tied for 5^th place with a pair of 9.550 scores. Emily Leese scored the next highest for UWEC with a 9.500 while placing 11^th. WSU's Taryn Sellner scored the highest on the floor with 9.675 points.
 
In the All-Around competition, Harriet Toth finished second among five total All-Around competitors with 37.775 points in her four events. UWW's Danielle Dudziak placed 1^st with 37.875 points.
 
The Blugolds will travel for the first time this season on Friday, January 19^th when the head to St. Peter, Minn. for a WIAC dual with Gustavus Adolphus College. The first rotation is scheduled for 6 p.m.