The Lindenwood women's gymnastics team captured the 2016 MIC Championship on Saturday night in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Lady Lions are the first repeat champions in the conference since 2008, and they have now won two titles in just four seasons as a program.
 
Lindenwood finished with a team score of 194.925, its fourth-highest in program history. The Lady Lions won by over half a point as the host school, Southeast Missouri, finished second with a mark of 194.375. Texas Woman's was third with a 193.325, followed by Illinois State (192.825), Illinois Chicago (191.625), and Centenary (188.825).
 
The Lady Lions won their first title last year after record-breaking individual performances from its top gymnasts. This year's crown came through a different route as it was a total team effort from top to bottom. Nine of the 12 gymnasts who competed earned all-conference honors, and all 12 contributed to the final team score.
 
"Everyone on the team has a role that matters," said MIC Coach of the Year Jen Kesler. "Tonight, the girls did a great job in embracing their roles. They were themselves and it showed in a great overall performance that won them the conference championship."
 
Lindenwood opened on the floor, and Katey Oswalt got the meet started on a high note with a score of 9.825, tying for her season-high on the event. Two other Lions would score a 9.800 or higher, with Kayla McMullan matching Oswalt's mark, and Rachel Zabawa scoring a 9.800. Lindenwood would finish with a team score of 48.950, the fifth-best in program history. Oswalt and McMullan would both tie for fifth and earn second-team all-MIC honors.
 
The Lady Lions had their lowest score of the night on the vault, but their mark of 48.200 was still the highest among the six MIC schools. Zabawa earned first-team all-conference after finishing third with a 9.750, and Samantha Borges was second-team after coming in sixth with a 9.675.
 
Lindenwood's highest score came on the bars with a 48.975, the second-highest in program history and just 0.025 short of the school record. Three gymnasts hit 9.800 or higher, led by Andavea Alexander and Valeri Ingui who both had a 9.825. Aubree Horn recorded a mark of 9.800. Alexander and Ingui both tied for second overall, and were first-team all-MIC honorees, and Horn was a second-team after finishing tied for sixth.
 
The Lady Lions ended on the beam, and their seniors helped seal the MIC Championship. Zabawa opened with a 9.675, and Alicia Floyd scored a 9.850 right after that. Lindenwood had a fall on its fourth gymnast, putting some pressure on the final two. Ingui answered with a 9.750, and Lauren Cartmell put the finishing touches on the title with a 9.850. Lindenwood had a team score of 48.800, the fifth-best in school history. Floyd and Cartmell both tied for second which earned them first-team honors.
 
Lindenwood will be off until the USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships on April 8-10. The Lady Lions will host the national championships at Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo.