MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following one week of competition, three West Virginia University gymnasts own five combined national rankings in this week’s Road to Nationals rankings.

 

Junior Alexa Goldberg and sophomore Zaakira Muhammad each own two national rankings. Goldberg, a native of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, is ranked No. 22 (9.85 avg.) on bars and No. 36 (38.975 avg.) in the all-around. Muhammad, a native of Pennsauken, New Jersey, is tied with Goldberg at No. 22 on bars and also ranks No. 37 (9.825 avg.) on vault.  

 

Freshman Kirah Koshinski owns the team’s top ranking, as she sits at No. 13 (9.875 avg.) on the vault chart.

 

As a team, the Mountaineers (0-2, 0-1) rank No. 11 (49.0 avg.) on vault.

 

This week’s rankings are based on average season scores.

 

The Mountaineers rank No. 6 in the Southeast Region with a 193.63 average.  The squad also ranks No. 2 on vault, No. 6 on bars (48.525 avg.) and floor (48.275 avg.), and No. 8 on beam (47.85 avg.).

 

Individually, Koshinski, Goldberg and Muhammad are each ranked in three events. Koshinski is tops among the trio, as she checks in at No. 4 on vault. She also ranks No. 8 (9.825 avg.) on floor and No. 17 (9.8 avg.) on beam.

 

Goldberg ranks No. 6 on bars, No. 11 in the all-around and No. 22 (9.7 avg.) on floor, while Muhammad ranks No. 6 on bars, No. 8 on vault and No. 24 (9.675 avg.) on floor.

 

Three Mountaineers rank behind Koshinski and Muhammad on vault. Senior Jaida Lawrence and sophomore Amanda Bowman sit at No. 15 (9.775 avg.), while sophomore Robyn Bernard ranks No. 18 (9.75 avg.).

 

WVU checks in at No. 4 in the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers rank No. 3 on vault and bars and No. 4 on beam and floor.

 

Koshinski is the conference’s top vaulter. She also ranks No. 6 on beam and floor.

 

Goldberg and Muhammad sit at No. 3 on the bars’ chart. Goldberg also ranks No. 4 in the all-around and No. 10 (9.725 avg.) on beam, a spot she shares with sophomore Jordan Gillette. Muhammad also ranks No. 6 on vault.  

 

The Mountaineers opened the 2016 season with a third place, 193.65 showing at No. 16 Denver on Jan. 9. The Pioneers scored 195.375 and finished first, and No. 24 Southern Utah tallied 194.1 for a second-place finish. Koshinski won vault outright with a 9.875 mark and tied for third place on beam (9.8) and floor (9.825). Goldberg finished third in the all-around with a career-high 38.975 total and also tied Muhammad for third place on bars (9.85).

 

The team opens its 2016 home season at the WVU Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 17, against No. 18 New Hampshire, at 4 p.m. It’s a Beauty and the Beast meet, and the gymnastics team will compete simultaneously with the WVU wrestling team. The opener also is “Poster Day,” and the 2016 gymnastics schedule poster will be available for all fans to pick up. Additionally, Mr. Twister will be in attendance to make balloon creations and offer face painting.

 

Tickets are available now at WVUGAME.com. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for youths and senior citizens, and $2 for groups of 10 or more. Students are admitted for free with a valid WVU student I.D.