2005-06 WIAC Women's Gymnastics Headlines

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have secured 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women's At-Large Team honors. UW-Eau Claire's Amanda Schultz and UW-Oshkosh's Cheryl Treadwell were first team selections, while UW-La Crosse's Nina Schubert and UW-Stevens Point's Amy Statz claimed second team status.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It includes the sports of golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, swimming and diving, tennis and water polo.

Schultz, a senior ice hockey player from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH), earned all-district honors for the third straight year. She is majoring in special education and boasts a 3.98 grade point average. Schultz claimed the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete Award this year and tallied 17 points on 12 goals and five assists.

Treadwell, a senior golfer from Brookfield, Wis. (Central H.S.), maintains a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in finance. She was named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Golf Scholar-Athlete award winner this year. Treadwell placed 20th at the league championships this season and secured all-WIAC second team status.

Schultz and Treadwell are now eligible for the Academic All-America team, which will be announced on June 15.

Schubert, a senior gymnast from Kreischa, Germany, is majoring in psychology and carries a 3.56 grade point average. She claimed the conference's scholar-athlete award this season and won her third straight National Collegiate Gymnastics Association uneven bars title.

Statz, a junior ice hockey player from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., sustains a 3.62 grade point average and is majoring in athletic training. She ranked second in the NCAA Division III with a 1.22 goals against average and fifth with a .934 save percentage. Statz is the first goalie in NCAA tournament history to post a shutout in the frozen four.

Brockport, N.Y.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse captured its sixth straight National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championship on March 24 at The State University of New York-Brockport. The Eagles finished with a team score of 186.250. Ithaca College (N.Y.) was second with a score of 183.800, while UW-Oshkosh placed third at 183.750.

UW-La Crosse scored 46.975 on vault; 44.800 on the uneven parallel bars; 46.800 on the balance beam and a season-high 47.675 on the floor exercise.

SUNY-Brockport was fourth (183.650) followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (182.700), Ursinus College (Pa.) (182.525) and UW-Eau Claire (179.425).

UW-La Crosse has now won an NCGA record 11 national titles (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1988, 1986).

UW-Eau Claire's Lynn Morris finished fourth in the all-around competition, while UW-Oshkosh's Teresa Phipps placed sixth, UW-Whitewater's Danielle Crinzi finished ninth and UW-Stout's Rhian Paulson was 10th. All four individuals secured All-America accolades.

In individual competition during the two-day national event, UW-La Crosse's Nina Schubert won the national title in the uneven bars for the third straight year with a score of 19.625. UW-Oshkosh's Teresa Phipps finished fifth to secure All-America status.

Schubert became the second gymnast in NCGA history to win three uneven bars titles. Her score of 19.625 is also an NCGA record, breaking her own record score of 19.375 set in 2004. Schubert won the uneven bars in 2004, 2005 and 2006 after placing second in 2003.

Schubert is also the second gymnast to capture three consecutive national titles on a single event, joining Danin Squires (SUNY-Cortland) who took three straight balance beam crowns (2002, 2003, 2004).

The Eagles also had Jennifer Houle claim a national crown in the balance beam for the second consecutive season with a score of 19.275. UW-Eau Claire's Lynn Morris placed third and UW-La Crosse's Erin Sommer fourth to claim All-America accolades. Houle is the fourth gymnast in UW-La Crosse history to capture two balance beam national championships, joining Kim MacKrille (1988, 1989), Tricia Adkins (1992, 1994) and Kari Motz (1997, 1998).

UW-Eau Claire's Theresa Lynch won the floor exercise title with a score of 19.425. UW-Stout's Rhian Paulson tallied a fourth-place finish and UW-La Crosse's Houle a fifth-place standing to secure All-America status.

Lynch became the third Blugold to win an individual national championship, joining Lynn Morris in the balance beam (2003) and Julie Hardtke in the balance beam (1985).

UW-Oshkosh's Vanessa Virbitsky placed second in the vault, while Hamline's Alex Hughes and UW-La Crosse's Jackie LaFleur tied for fourth and UW-Oshkosh's Jennifer Kaye finished sixth. All four individuals captured All-America honors.

UW-Oshkosh head coach Nadalie Walsh was voted the 2006 NCGA Coach of the Year after leading the Titans to their best national finish since the 2001 season when they placed second. Walsh is the second coach in the school history to win the award, joining Paul Scardina in 1995. This marks the second consecutive season that a coach from the WIAC has won the prize as UW-La Crosse's Barb Gibson won the award a year ago.

The NCGA also announced a 26-member All-Academic Team for the 2005-06 season and individuals from the conference receiving recognition included: UW-Eau Claire's Chelsey Brickweg, Leah Ittner, Melanie Nichols and Jenni Wick, UW-La Crosse's Nina Schubert, UW-Oshkosh's Alyssa Moreck, UW-Stout's Shanna Kissinger, Gustavus Adolphus' Danielle Abel and Ashley Erickson and Hamline's Suzanne DuBois, Emily Fisher and Emily Wind.

To qualify for the All-Academic Team, a gymnast must be in her final year of competition and maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

Vault: Vanessa Virbitsky (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Alex Hughes (Hamline-4th), Jackie LaFleur (UW-La Crosse-4th), Jennifer Kaye (UW-Oshkosh-6th)

Uneven Bars: Nina Schubert (UW-La Crosse-champion), Teresa Phipps (UW-Oshkosh-5th)

Balance Beam: Jennifer Houle (UW-La Crosse-champion), Lynn Morris (UW-Eau Claire-3rd), Erin Sommer (UW-La Crosse-4th)

Floor Exercise: Theresa Lynch (UW-Eau Claire-champion), Rhian Paulson (UW-Stout-4th), Jennifer Houle (UW-La Crosse-5th)

All-Around: Lynn Morris (UW-Eau Claire-4th), Teresa Phipps (UW-Oshkosh-6th), Danielle Crinzi (UW-Whitewater-9th), Rhian Paulson (UW-Stout-10th)

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Nina Schubert has claimed the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete Award.

Schubert, a senior from Kreischa, Germany, is majoring in psychology and maintains a 3.56 grade point average. She is a three-time selection to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-La Crosse's Dean's List four semesters.

UW-La Crosse recently claimed its 10th straight WIAC championship as Schubert, a team captain, placed seventh in the uneven bars at the league meet. She won the national title in the uneven bars the last two seasons and also claimed the conference crown in the event in 2004.

Schubert has been a member of three consecutive national championship squads and holds UW-La Crosse's Mitchell Hall record in the uneven bars.

Schubert has assisted with UW-La Crosse Campus Clean Ups, Kid's Night Out and Campus Food Drives, while also serving as a coach in the Junior Eagle Gymnastics Program.

Schubert is the 11th Eagle to capture the women's gymnastics scholar-athlete award, joining Angela Erato (2004), Jenny Moore (2002), Carol Sheker (2001), Kristie Pullis (1999), Kari Livingston (1996), Laura Pastore (1995), Tammy Bakeberg (1994), Kimberly MacKrille (1991), Susie Milts (1990) and Kris Robbins (1988).

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Chelsey Brickweg, Leah Ittner, Melanie Nichols and Jennifer Wick, UW-Stout's Shanna Kissinger and Gustavus Adolphus' Danielle Abel.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse claimed its 10th consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Gymnastics Championship at Kolf Sports Center on March 3. The meet also served as the West Regional qualifier for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) championships with the Eagles claiming their fourth straight regional crown.

The conference title for the Eagles is the 17th in school history (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1988, 1978, 1975, 1974).

UW-La Crosse compiled 182.900 team points to outlast UW-Eau Claire for the fourth straight season. The Blugolds totaled 181.000 points and were followed by UW-Oshkosh (180.900), Hamline University (Minn.) (179.175), UW-Whitewater (178.900), Winona State University (Minn.) (178.375), Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) (177.850) and UW-Stout (173.500).

UW-La Crosse was led by Mackenzie Howard who claimed the vault, balance beam and all-around titles. She secured the vault crown with a score of 9.650 and was followed by UW-Oshkosh's Vanessa Virbitsky (9.525), Gustavus Adolphus' Brittany Moore and UW-La Crosse's Jackie LaFleur (9.500), UW-Stout's Rhian Paulson (9.450) and UW-La Crosse's Erin Sommer (9.425).

Howard shared the championship in the balance beam with Hamline's Brynn Stenslie after both competitors posted a score of 9.475. UW-Eau Claire's Jenni Wick was third (9.350) and was followed by UW-La Crosse's Ann Fitzsimmons (9.325), UW-Eau Claire's Theresa Lynch (9.275) and UW-Eau Claire's Melanie Nichols and Winona State's Alexandra Nugent (9.250).

In the all-around competition, Howard posted a score of 37.575. She was trailed by UW-Eau Claire's Lynch (37.000), UW-Whitewater's Danielle Crinzi (36.800), UW-Stout's Paulson (36.550), UW-Oshkosh's Virbitsky (36.250) and UW-Eau Claire's Lynn Morris (36.100).

The Eagles' Fitzsimmons captured the uneven bars crown with a score of 9.425 and was followed by UW-Oshkosh's Kelly Busacker and UW-Whitewater's Crinzi (9.400), UW-Eau Claire's Morris (9.300), Winona State's Heidi Kick (9.200) and Hamline's Katie Davis (9.100).

UW-Whitewater's Crinzi claimed the floor exercise title with a score of 9.675. UW-Oshkosh's Kristen Beeler and Gustavus Adolphus' Christine Askham were second (9.650), followed by UW-Eau Claire's Lynch (9.550) and UW-Oshkosh's Virbitsky (9.525). Hamline's Stenslie, UW-La Crosse's Howard and Michelle Sletten and UW-Whitewater's Megan Finnegan finished in a four-way tie for sixth (9.500).

The top six finishers in the four events and the all-around competition received all-WIAC accolades.

UW-Eau Claire's Jean DeLisle, UW-Oshkosh's Nadalie Walsh and Winona State's Beckie Rolbiecki were voted Tri-Coaches of the Year by the league coaches. DeLisle also claimed the honor in 1996 when she was at UW-River Falls, while Walsh was recognized for the second straight year. Rolbiecki was acknowledged for the first time in her career.

UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh advanced to the NCGA national championships on March 24-25 in Brockport, N.Y. Individual qualifiers are expected to be announced next week.

Team Scores:
1. UW-La Crosse 182.900
2. UW-Eau Claire 181.000
3. UW-Oshkosh 180.900
4. Hamline University 179.175
5. UW-Whitewater 178.900
6. Winona State University 178.375
7. Gustavus Adolphus College 177.850
8. UW-Stout 173.500

Individual Event Champions:
Vault: Mackenzie Howard (UW-La Crosse), 9.650
Uneven Bars: Ann Fitzsimmons (UW-La Crosse), 9.425
Balance Beam: Brynn Stenslie (Hamline) and Mackenzie Howard (UW-La Crosse), 9.475
Floor Exercise: Danielle Crinzi (UW-Whitewater), 9.675
All-Around: Mackenzie Howard (UW-La Crosse), 37.575

Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Nina Schubert of UW-La Crosse
Tri-Coaches of the Year: Jean DeLisle of UW-Eau Claire, Nadalie Walsh of UW-Oshkosh and Beckie Rolbiecki of Winona State

Winona, Minn.--Winona State University has announced that Beckie Rolbiecki has been named the seventh head coach of the Warriors' gymnastics program.

Rolbiecki is replacing Jeff Richards, who served as head coach at WSU for one year and went to take a coaching position at the University of Iowa.

During the past five years Rolbiecki, a 1977 graduate of Winona State, has been as assistant coach for the Warriors program. She is a former member of the gymnastics program at Winona State and was one of its team captains.

Rolbiecki has also held a very successful head coaching position for gymnastics at Winona, Minn. Senior High School. During her 15-year career at WSHS, Rolbiecki has guided four teams to state finals competition. WSHS teams have won four section championships under Rolbiecki's tutelage along with six Big Nine Conference championships.

Other coaching duties for Rolbiecki have been as the head coach for the River City Gymnastics Club the past eight years.

RELEASED: Monday, September 19, 2005

Menomonie, Wis.--A former national champion joins the UW-Stout athletic department staff as the Blue Devils' gymnastics coach.

Becky Beaulieu - who captured back-to-back floor exercise titles at the 1998 and 1999 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championships while competing for UW-La Crosse - enters the position with quality coaching experience. Beaulieu recently coached Level 4-10 gymnasts at the Maui (Hawaii) Gymnastics Academy (MGA), mentoring four athletes to the Level 9-10 USAG Regional Meet and one athlete to a fifth-place finish in the all-around at the Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals.

Beaulieu (pronounced bowl-ee-oh) served as a graduate assistant coach for perennial NCGA powerhouse La Crosse from 2001-03, with the Eagles winning two NCGA crowns during that span.

"I hope to motivate the women to expect more from themselves," said Beaulieu, who takes over a program that qualified three individuals to the NCGA Championships a year ago. "It is my end goal for each student-athlete to reach her potential as a collegiate gymnast and student. By doing so, the level of excellence displayed by the team should improve. I aspire for the Blue Devil gymnastics team to be able to compete with the top teams in the region. I plan to look for leadership from our seniors, Rhian Paulson and Shanna Kissinger."

Beaulieu competed for La Crosse from 1997-2001, as Becky McDonnell, establishing a since-eclipsed school floor exercise record score of 9.8. A seven-time NCGA All-American, she garnered all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors nine time. The Eagles, for which she was a two-year captain, won two NCGA titles during her competing days.

A Shoreview, Minn., native, Beaulieu earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and minor in business administration from La Crosse, graduating in 2001. In 2002, she obtained a master's degree in education and school psychology from La Crosse.

After working as a school psychologist in the Anoka-Hennepin (Minn.) School District, Beaulieu worked as a school psychologist at the Maui (Hawaii) District Office for one year.

Beaulieu resides in Hudson with her husband, Jeremy.

# # # # #