Samuelson Shines on Beam as WMU Dominates Top Three at Next Level Podium Challenge!

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Western Michigan sophomore Reese Samuelson secured the beam championship and the Bronco gymnastics squad achieved top-three placements on vault, bars, and floor at the Next Level Gymnastics Podium Challenge at Kellogg Arena on Saturday evening.

Samuelson attained a personal-best score of 9.825 to share the championship on beam with George Washington’s Kendall Whitman. This represented the second consecutive week that a Bronco has triumphed on beam.

In vault, senior Cassie St. Clair tied for third after recording a score of 9.800. Later, St. Clair finished second on floor with a score of 9.875, which is her top score this season. Hannah Milton landed in a seven-way tie for fourth place after achieving a score of 9.825 on floor.

In bars, sophomore Julie Korfhage attained a career-high score of 9.825 to tie for second place, just .025 behind first. Fifth-year senior Sarah Moravansky followed closely behind Korfhage in third place with a score of 9.800.

As a collective unit, Pitt secured the first position with a score of 195.575. Illinois State came in second, while George Washington placed third and the Broncos finished in fourth. 

Western Michigan will host New Hampshire and Fisk on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. for its home debut. Tickets can be purchased at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.