UAA Gymnastics Heads to Philly for National Championships
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Seawolves are gearing up for the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships, taking place at Hollinger Field House in West Chester, Pennsylvania, from March 27-29, 2026. This marks a significant moment for the team, continuing their postseason journey after competing in the event for the first time since 2005 last year.
Championship Schedule & Live Coverage
The competition kicks off on Friday, March 27th, with team preliminaries. UAA will compete in Session 1 at 10 am ADT alongside Bridgeport and Southeast Missouri State. Session 2, featuring Southern Connecticut, West Chester, and Texas Woman’s, will follow at 3 pm ADT.
Team Finals are scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, at 3 pm ADT, featuring the top two teams from Friday’s preliminaries. The competition culminates on Sunday, March 29th, with Individual Event Finals at 9 am ADT, open to qualifying gymnasts from all participating teams.
Fans can follow all the action live with coverage available at:
- Friday: https://virti.us/session?s=odc8x_O3gz
- Saturday: https://virti.us/session?s=JUU5il2HP2
- Sunday: https://virti.us/session?s=PRKNZshVOj
Seawolves’ Recent Performance & Key Athletes
UAA recently competed at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championship in Cedar City, Utah, finishing fourth with a total score of 191.600. The team has shown improvement throughout the season, increasing their average score from 189.800 to 192.065 over the last five meets.
Junior Claudia Lessig has been a standout performer for the Seawolves, earning First Team All-MPSF honors in the all-around competition. She also secured Second Team All-MPSF recognition on the balance beam. Lessig’s performance included a third-place finish on beam at the MPSF Championships with a score of 9.825.
Other notable athletes include Jada Niles, who earned Second Team All-MPSF honors on uneven bars, and Ariana DeSouza, recognized with Second Team All-MPSF honors on floor exercise. Jamilia Duffus also received Second Team All-MPSF honors on vault.
Freshman Impact & Program History
Freshmen Alexandra Karkowski and Tessa Richardson have made immediate contributions to the team, earning MPSF Freshman of the Week honors. Karkowski was recognized for her beam performances, while Richardson was honored for her vault scores.
The UAA gymnastics program has a rich history, with 39 USAG ‘All-American’ certificates earned between 1985 and 2005. Notable past champions include Elena Tkacheva (All-Around & Floor Exercise, 1997), Jessi Simmons (Vault, 1998), and Dominique Ingram (Vault & Floor Exercise, 2004).
Hollinger Field House: Location & Details
The championships will be held at Hollinger Field House, located at 150 University Ave, West Chester, PA 19383. The facility is on the campus of West Chester University. Directions and more information can be found online via MapQuest and Waze.
2026 Individual Honors
- Ariana DeSouza: Second Team All-MPSF (FX)
- Jamilia Duffus: Second Team All-MPSF (VT)
- Claudia Lessig: First Team All-MPSF (AA), Second Team All-MPSF (BB)
- Jada Niles: Second Team All-MPSF (UB)
- Alexandra Karkowski: MPSF Freshman of the Week, Feb. 16-22
- Tessa Richardson: MPSF Freshman of the Week, Mar. 9-15
FAQ
Q: Where are the championships being held?
A: Hollinger Field House in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Q: When do the team preliminaries begin?
A: Friday, March 27th, at 10 am ADT.
Q: How can I watch the championships live?
A: Live coverage is available through the links provided above.
Q: Which UAA gymnast earned First Team All-MPSF honors?
A: Claudia Lessig earned First Team All-MPSF honors in the all-around competition.
Stay tuned for updates and results from the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships!
Keep reading