WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves gymnastics team delivered a strong performance at the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) team preliminaries Friday, highlighted by career-best showings from sophomores Maribelle Albert and Jordan Grindol. While the team finished with a score of 192.375 and didn’t advance to Saturday’s team finals, the meet represented a significant step forward for the program, showcasing resilience and individual growth against stiff competition from Southeast Missouri (194.350) and Bridgeport (193.250). The focus now shifts to individual event finals on Sunday, where several Seawolves will have the opportunity to compete.
The WCGNIC, held at Hollinger Field House, serves as a crucial platform for collegiate gymnastics programs to test their skills on a national stage. For Alaska Anchorage, the meet provided an opportunity to build on a season of progress and demonstrate the team’s potential. The competition wasn’t about team advancement for UAA this time, but rather about individual performances and gaining valuable experience. This year’s showing was a marked improvement over their performance at the 2023 WCGNIC, according to head coach Marie-Sophie Boggasch.
Sophomore Standouts Lead the Way
Maribelle Albert’s standout performance on vault was a key moment for the Seawolves. Competing in her home state, Albert achieved a career-high score of 9.85, tying the eighth-best vault score in program history, according to UAA Athletics. This personal best, a 0.125-point improvement, fueled a strong vault rotation for the team, which finished with a total of 48.100. Junior Jamilia Duffus also contributed to the success on vault, topping her previous best with a score of 9.8, while Jada Niles achieved a personal-best 9.7.
On the balance beam, Jordan Grindol shone, earning a career-high score of 9.825. This performance led the Seawolves to their highest beam total of the day, 48.675, and ranks as the 10th-best beam score in UAA program history. Grindol’s performance was supported by consistent scoring from her teammates, including junior Claudia Lessig, who scored a 9.8 – her fourth consecutive meet reaching that plateau – and freshman Alexandra Karkowski, who earned a 9.775. Senior Breeann Spain (9.65) and junior Jada Niles (9.625) rounded out the scoring on beam.
Building Momentum Through the Season
Head coach Marie-Sophie Boggasch expressed pride in her team’s efforts, emphasizing the competitiveness displayed throughout the meet. “I’m very proud of our efforts today,” Boggasch said, as reported by UAA Athletics. “Of course we’re sad that we didn’t advance to day two, but overall it was another great meet on par with our second half of the season. The team showed its competitiveness, especially on beam, which can be the hardest event under this much pressure.”
The Seawolves also demonstrated strength on the floor exercise, where Grindol tied sophomore Maria Jose Prieto for team-high honors with a score of 9.625. Senior Ariana DeSouza added a 9.6 to the team total, contributing to a floor score of 47.750. On uneven bars, Lessig, Niles, and Duffus each posted scores of 9.675, leading to a team total of 47.850 on that apparatus.
Looking Ahead to Individual Finals
Despite not advancing as a team, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves will continue to compete at the WCGNIC with individual event finals scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. ADT. Albert and Duffus will compete on vault, Niles, Duffus, and Lessig will compete on uneven bars, and Grindol will compete on balance beam. Fans can follow the action live with links provided on GoSeawolves.com.
The individual finals represent a valuable opportunity for these athletes to showcase their skills and compete against some of the nation’s top gymnasts. For Albert and Grindol, in particular, this is a chance to build on their career-best performances and potentially earn All-American honors. The WCGNIC serves as a culmination of a season’s worth of hard work and dedication, and the Seawolves are poised to finish strong.
The Alaska Anchorage gymnastics team’s performance at the WCGNIC demonstrates the program’s continued growth and the dedication of its athletes. While the team’s journey in the team competition has concluded, the individual finals offer a chance for further success and recognition. The Seawolves will appear to carry the momentum from Friday’s meet into Sunday’s competition, aiming to finish their 2026 campaign on a high note.
Share your thoughts on the Seawolves’ performance and cheer on the athletes competing in the individual finals! Leave a comment below and share this article with your fellow gymnastics fans.
Keep reading
