WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Lindenwood gymnastics advanced to the USAG Finals on Friday after winning their session with a sore of 195.700. The Lions will now take on Wester Chester, Texas Woman's and Air Force during Saturday's final.

"We accomplished exactly what we wanted to as a team today," said head coach Catelyn Branson. "A solid overall performance and continuance of the momentum that we have. Excited to go out one last time as team tomorrow and keep creating our lasting legacy."

TEAM STANDINGS

• Lindenwood - 195.700
• West Chester - 193.975
• Brown - 192.525

LINDENWOOD'S TOP PERFORMERS

• Vault - Reese Baechle (9.850) 
• Bars -  Hannah Appleget (9.875)
• Beam - Nya Kraus (9.875)
• Floor -  Gayla Griswold/Jaly Jones (9.875)
• All-Around -  Jaly Jones (39.150)

INSIDE THE SCORES

• Lindenwood started their evening on floor during their first rotation where they scored a 49.200 which was their highest team score of the evening. Five different Lions scored a 9.800 or better including Gayla Griswold and Jaly Jones who tied for second overall on floor. For Griswold, it marked her first time back on the mat for floor since Feb. 16. Simone Evans and Reese Baechle also finished in a tie for sixth with a score of 9.825.
• The Lions would move on to vault during rotation two where they finished with a score of 48.775. Baechle finished with the highest scoring during session two with a 9.850. This score also marked her second highest of the season. Hannah Appleget, Jones and Griswold all finished in a tie for fourth with scores of 9.750.
• Moving on to uneven bars during the third rotation, Lindenwood posted their second highest event score of the evening with a 48.925 which was also the highest of all three teams competing. Appleget was just shy of her career high with a score of 9.875 on Friday which also was the top score. Fresh off her NCAA Regional appearance, Nya Kraus finished with a bar score of 9.825 which was tied for second. Kaylee Cooper also posted a 9.775 which was tied for fourth.
• Kraus returned in the next event leading all gymnasts on beam with a score of 9.875. Lindenwood as a team posted a score of 48.800 to secure the session two victory and put them in position to win the USAG Title. Jones also finished in a tie for second on beam with a score of 9.800. She also finished with the highest all-around score during the meet with a score of 39.150, her eighth time posting over a 39.000.

WHAT'S NEXT
Lindenwood will compete for the USAG crown on Saturday in hopes of back-to-back national championships. The action will start at 6:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed on YouTube. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.