MENOMONIE, Wisc. – Kaelin Ruoss wrapped up her spectacular junior gymnastics season in style on Saturday night, placing fourth overall on the balance beam to garner first team All-America honors on the second and final night of the NCGA Championship at Wisconsin-Stout.
Ruoss, who finished fourth in the all-around competition in 2015, captured the second All-America laurel of her career with a 9.5250. That score landed her just a half-point out of third and less than a point behind co-national champions Candis Kowalik (Brockport) and Kari Willett (Wisconsin-La Crosse), who each earned a 9.600.
Ruoss was phenomenal on the beam all season, posting seven scores of 9.600 or higher. That included a school-record 9.900 in a dual at West Chester three weeks ago, and Ruoss' success helped the Bears establish a new team record in the event with a 48.575.
Six other Bears competed in the individual portion of the meet. Freshman Skylar Haas got her first taste of national championship action by placing 16th on the beam (8.700). Junior Amanda Palladino, who tied for second on the beam at last year's meet, finished 18th with an 8.600.
Junior Heather Brubaker placed just outside the All-American cut line, garnering a 9.500 to end up in 13th overall on the vault.
Ruoss also led Ursinus on the bars with a 9.3750 that was good for 16th place. Senior Vanessa Scalora, a two-time All-American in the event, closed out her fantastic career in 18th (9.3500). Classmate Lauren Chavis, a second team All-American on bars a year ago, was 19th (9.2500) in the final event of her own standout tenure.
Junior Alexandra Puryear finished 18th on the floor with a 9.4750.
Chavis and Scalora joined fellow seniors Jillian Casarella and Allyson Getty in receiving NCGA Academic All-America recognition, which is presented to each gymnast who maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and whose name appears on the team's NCGA squad list.