PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team concluded its regular season with a strong performance at a tri-meet hosted by the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 15th. The Mountaineers posted a team score of 195.35, finishing second behind Pitt’s 196.4, while Illinois State rounded out the competition with a 193.625. This meet marked the fifth consecutive time WVU has achieved a team score of 195.0 or higher, showcasing consistent improvement throughout the season.
Beyond the team score, West Virginia saw six individual season highs and four new career bests, signaling a peak in performance as they head into the postseason. The Mountaineers demonstrated resilience and skill across all events, setting the stage for a competitive showing at the upcoming Big 12 Gymnastics Championship.
The competition began on the balance beam, where the Mountaineers faced some initial challenges. But, strong performances from junior Kaylei Adams and Haley Mendoza, both scoring 9.8, helped stabilize the rotation. Freshman Kayla Smith contributed a 9.7, followed by a 9.65 from junior Amber Lowe and a 9.35 from junior Jurnee Lane.
West Virginia quickly gained momentum on the floor exercise, highlighted by a season-high matching 9.9 from Emerson Smith. Smith’s performance led the way, with Kayla Smith closely behind at 9.875 and Lane earning a 9.85. Senior Carlee Nelson and freshman Auden Pederson added to the impressive rotation with matching scores of 9.775.
The Mountaineers continued their upward trajectory on the vault, where sophomore Taylor Tuohy achieved a new career best of 9.875 with a stuck Yurchenko full. Nelson also stuck her vault, tying her career high with a 9.85. Emerson Smith scored a 9.8 and Kayla Smith followed with a 9.775, while sophomore Karleigh DiCello capped the event with a 9.65.
West Virginia concluded the meet on uneven bars, delivering one of their strongest performances of the year. Jurnee Lane set a career best with a 9.85, while Kayla Smith also achieved a career high with a 9.825. Junior Jayden McDonnell added a season-high 9.8, and Haley Mendoza scored a 9.75, with sophomore Kaelyn Skeel rounding out the rotation with a 9.7.
Kayla Smith had a standout day, earning first place in the all-around competition with a score of 39.175, marking her second all-around score above 39.0 this weekend. Tuohy secured the vault title, with Nelson tying for second place. Mendoza and Adams tied for third on the balance beam, and Emerson Smith claimed first on the floor exercise, followed by Kayla Smith in second.
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers will compete at the 2026 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship in West Valley City, Utah, on Saturday, March 21st. They are scheduled to participate in the first session of the championship, beginning at 2 p.m. ET inside the Maverik Center. WVU Sports provides further details on the team’s performance and upcoming schedule.
The team’s performance at Pitt demonstrates a clear upward trend as they prepare for the championship season. With several gymnasts achieving personal bests and the team consistently scoring above 195, the Mountaineers are poised to make a strong showing in Utah. Fans can follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates.
What comes next for the Mountaineers is a focused preparation for the Big 12 Championship, building on the momentum generated from their regular-season finale. The team will aim to translate their individual successes into a strong collective performance as they compete for a conference title.
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