University of Wisconsin-Whitewater captured its fourth national title in program history on Friday night at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship at UW-Stout in Menomonie, WI.

The Warhawks posted a team score of 191.000 to top runner-up Wisconsin-La Crosse, which finished with a 188.300, and third-place Brockport (186.800). Ursinus College finished fourth with a 186.750, followed by Wisconsin-Stout with a 186.475 and Springfield College, which wrapped up the top six with a 184.775.

This marks the fourth time in the past six years that UW-Whitewater has been crowned NCGA champion. The Warhawks previously completed a three-peat atop the podium from 2012-14.

UW-Whitewater sophomore Lisa O'Donnell helped fuel the Warhawks' latest national championship by capturing the all-around title with a score of 38.225. She was also named the 2017 West Regional Gymnast of the Year. Her best routine of the night came on the uneven bars, where she posted a team-high 9.725. 



The Warhawks had their best rotation of the night on balance beam in the second rotation, where McKenzie Foster paced the squad with a 9.775. Courtney Pickett added a 9.725, while Franchesca Hutton (9.675) and O'Donnell (9.600) all posted scores above a 9.6. Kate Mierow (9.700) and Katie Fiorelli (9.550) were the standouts on floor and vault, respectively.

UW-La Crosse entered the meet looking for its third straight title but came up just a little short. Kari Willett led the Eagles on vault with a 9.525 and tied for team highs on balance beam (9.725) and floor exercise (9.625)

Brockport State came into the meet as the top-ranked squad; however, the Golden Eagles once again had some struggles on the uneven bars -- their weakest event of the season. Meghan Cash (9.575) and Maddie O'Braitis (9.525) had solid showings on bars, while Stephanie Mager had the squad's top mark on vault with a 9.500.

Candis Kowalik had the leading score for her team on balance beam with a 9.675, and Brittany Vasile was the Golden Eagles' top performer on floor exercise with a 9.700.

VIEW FULL RESULTS.

On Saturday evening, the event finalists took to the floor.

UW-Whitewater's O'Donnell earned the vault title with a 9.725, and Gustavus Adolphus' Alexandra Kopp finished in second with a 9.700. There was a tie for third place with five gymnasts earning a 9.650: Kaylee Jondahl (UW-Stout), Kari Willet (UW-La Crosse), Katie Fiorelli (UW-Whitewater), Carolyn Nichols (Ithaca College), and Stephanie Mager (Brockport State).

Alex got second in the country on vault!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HXIw06H5GJ

— Gustavus Gymnastics (@GACGymnastics) April 1, 2017

All seven gymnasts had marked improvements from their vaults during the team competition. O'Donnell's vault was more than 0.3 points better in the event finals.

Abby Ostrovsky of UW-La Crosse came away with the uneven bars title after scoring a 9.675. Teammate Lauren Wilson and Brockport State's Candis Kowalik tied for second with a 9.600.

UW-Oshkosh topped the podium on balance beam after Baylee Tkaczuk won the title with a 9.775. Tkaczuk's performance tied her season high, set on March 4 on the road against Hamline. O'Donnell finished just behind Tkaczuk with a season-high 9.750 to take second. Mackenzie Smith of UW-Whitewater rounded out the top three with a 9.650.

Floor exercise proved to be the highest-scoring event of the evening. Eboni Jackson of Winona State won the floor title with a 9.850 to set a new season high by a full point. 

This crowd LOVES Eboni Jackson! Beautiful full in to start a great routine, she moves into first on floor with a 9.85! #NCGAchampionships

— FloGymnastics (@FloGymnastics) April 1, 2017

Courtney Pickett took second with a 9.800, her third time reaching that mark this season. Elsa Spitzmueller of UW-La Crosse rounded out the top three with a 9.750. It was the sixth time Spitzmueller scored a 9.700 or better this season.

View Full Results from event finals
Watch routine videos from the NCGA Championships here