West Virginia Gymnastics Finishes Second at Pitt Tri-Meet

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team secured a second-place finish at a tri-meet hosted by the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 15, 2026, recording six individual season-high scores. The Mountaineers tallied a team score of 195.35, trailing the host Panthers who won with a 196.4. Illinois State finished third with a score of 193.625.

Mountaineers Showcase Season Bests

WVU achieved its fifth consecutive team score of 195.0 or higher, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the season. The team’s event totals included 48.95 on vault, 48.925 on uneven bars, 48.3 on balance beam, and a strong 49.175 on floor exercise. Four Mountaineers also achieved new career highs during the competition.

Event Highlights

The Mountaineers began the meet on balance beam, with junior Kaylei Adams and Haley Mendoza each contributing a 9.8 to stabilize the rotation. Freshman Kayla Smith added a 9.7, while junior Amber Lowe scored a 9.65 and Jurnee Lane finished with a 9.35.

West Virginia gained momentum on the floor exercise, led by Emerson Smith’s season-high matching score of 9.9. Kayla Smith followed closely with a 9.875, and Jurnee Lane earned a 9.85. Senior Carlee Nelson and freshman Auden Pederson both scored 9.775.

Vault proved to be another strong event for WVU, with sophomore Taylor Tuohy achieving a career-best 9.875 with a stuck Yurchenko full. Carlee Nelson also stuck her vault, tying her career high with a 9.85. Emerson Smith scored a 9.8, and Kayla Smith earned a 9.775, while Karleigh DiCello tallied a 9.65.

The Mountaineers concluded the meet on uneven bars, where Jurnee Lane led with a career-best 9.85. Kayla Smith also achieved a career high with a 9.825, and Jayden McDonnell recorded a season-high 9.8. Haley Mendoza scored a 9.75, and Kaelyn Skeel finished with a 9.7.

Individual Achievements

Kayla Smith earned first place in the all-around competition with a score of 39.175, marking her second all-around score of 39.0 or higher on the weekend. Taylor Tuohy won the vault title, while Carlee Nelson tied for second. Haley Mendoza and Kaylei Adams tied for third on beam, and Emerson Smith took first place on floor, followed by Kayla Smith in second.

Looking Ahead

The West Virginia gymnastics team will now prepare for the 2026 Considerable 12 Gymnastics Championship, which will be held on Saturday, March 21, in West Valley City, Utah. The Mountaineers will compete in the first session of the championship, beginning at 2 p.m. ET inside the Maverik Center.