West Virginia Posts Season-High Road Score at NIU

Friday, February 6

DeKalb, Ill.

7 p.m.

West Virginia University

194.775

193.7

Northern Illinois

February 06, 2026 11:00 PM | Gymnastics

Results

By: Olivia Sneed

DeKALB, Ill. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team used a season-high road score to earn a second-place finish in a tri meet at Northern Illinois with Western Michigan inside the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois, on Friday night.

The Mountaineers scored a 194.775 to finish in second place, using a season-best 49.225 on floor exercise to reach the total. Western Michigan finished in first place with a 195.575, and Northern Illinois was third with a 193.7.

Of note, West Virginia was originally scheduled to compete in a Big 12 Conference dual meet at Iowa State on Friday night, but the Cyclones canceled the meet on Thursday due to not being able to safely field a team. Per a Big 12 Conference ruling, Iowa State's cancelation was ruled a forfeit, giving WVU an automatic win.

A late addition to the NIU meet, West Virginia started on beam, where its struggles from previously this season persisted. However, the Mountaineers held it together to score a 48.225 and not count a fall. Junior Amber Lowe led the way with a flawless routine that scored a 9.825, followed by a 9.675 for freshman Kayla Smith. Freshman Haley Mendoza recorded a 9.65, and junior Kaylei Adams came in with a 9.6 in the anchor spot after a fall before her in the lineup. Junior Jurnee Lane's 9.475 capped the scoring.

After a tough beam rotation, WVU shined on floor exercise and scored a season-best 49.225 on the event. A trio of 9.875's from Kayla Smith, sophomore Emerson Smith and freshman Auden Pederson led the way. Of note, the scores marked a season high for Emerson and a career high for Pederson. Senior Carlee Nelson secured a season-high matching 9.825, while Lowe's 9.775 rounded out an impressive floor performance.

The momentum continued on vault, where West Virginia put together a 48.925 team score, led by a career-best 9.825 for sophomore Taylor Tuohy. Emerson and Kayla posted a pair of 9.8's, while Nelson and sophomore Sophia Rice added matching 9.75's to complete the third rotation.

In the final event, WVU struggled a bit on bars, but stayed solid to score a 48.4. Lowe once again led the way with a 9.825, followed by sophomore Kaelyn Skeel with a 9.7. Junior Jayden McDonnel tallied a 9.675, Mendoza added a 9.625 and Kayla Smith scored a 9.575 to complete the meet for the Mountaineers.

On all-around, Kayla Smith posted a 38.925 for her third career all-around win. Tuohy's career-high score on vault helped her secure her first career event win, as well as the first podium finish of her career. Lowe's stellar night included a win on beam and a second-place finish on bars. Finally, Kayla Smith, Emerson Smith and Pederson finished in a tie for first place on floor.\

Up next, West Virginia returns home for a Big 12 Conference dual meet against Arizona State on Saturday, Feb. 14. Competition at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN+. It's Galentine's Day, and the first 250 fans through the doors will receive a free I <3 gymnastics="" pink="">

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.