The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves are gearing up for an exciting weekend as they host the 22nd annual Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championship on Saturday, March 22, at the Avis Alaska Sports Complex. This highly anticipated event will see UAA compete against formidable rivals Sacramento State, Southern Utah, and UC Davis.
With a rich history in the MPSF and several standout gymnasts, the Seawolves are poised to make a significant impact in this year’s championship.
Excitement Builds for the MPSF Championship
The Seawolves are entering the postseason with high hopes, aiming to upset top-seeded Southern Utah, Sacramento State, and UC Davis in the four-team competition. The rotation order for UAA will be beam, floor, vault, and bars.
Fans can catch all the action through live video streaming on Overnght.com and live scoring on GoSeawolves.com. The first 300 fans attending the event will receive free sunglasses, courtesy of meet sponsor Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska.
UAA’s Hosting History
This marks only the second time UAA has hosted the MPSF Championship, with the previous occasion being in 2015 at the Alaska Airlines Center. Interestingly, this will be the first college gymnastics competition held at the Avis Alaska Sports Complex since UAA hosted Lindenwood on March 2, 2014.
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The Seawolves have a storied history in the MPSF, having won their lone title in 2009 in Colorado Springs. Jessica Portlock remains the only Seawolf to win the MPSF all-around title, achieving this feat in 2006 and securing three of UAA’s 12 individual titles. More recently, Sophia Hyderally claimed individual titles on the beam in 2017 and 2019.
Season Highlights and Records
UAA is currently on track to achieve some of the best scores in its Division I history. The team boasts the second-best floor NQS (48.415) and the third-best floor average (48.318) in program history.
Additionally, their bars (47.750) and beam (47.910) averages rank fourth and fifth, respectively. The Seawolves’ scores of 193.325 and 193.000 on February 21 and 23 were the best back-to-back regular-season meets in program history, ranking 10th and 12th overall.
The team’s 49.025 floor score is the second-best in program history, while their 48.650 score on February 10 at Oregon State is tied for 16th.
Individual Standouts
Several gymnasts have delivered standout performances this season:
- Montana Fairbairn: The senior has gone from two to ten career victories this season, with a 9.9 floor routine on February 21. She is on pace to break the school floor average record with a 9.810 average.
- Ariana DeSouza: The junior has consistently scored between 9.65 and 9.85 on all nine floor routines, aiming for a top-six program mark with a 9.753 average.
- Grace Costello: The senior has earned 9.55 or better on 21 of her 26 routines, with a 9.628 beam average ranking 16th on the UAA single-season list.
- Hannah Boyd: The freshman was named MPSF Gymnastics Freshman of the Week for February 17-23, contributing significantly to UAA’s historic team scores.
- Jamilia Duffus: A transfer from Talladega, Duffus has strengthened the bars lineup, earning a team season-high 9.825 on February 23.
Team Dynamics and Future Prospects
The Seawolves are enjoying one of their most consistent seasons on vault, thanks to key contributions from freshmen and sophomores.
Boyd, Maribelle Albert, Jamilia Duffus, and Verena Wong have all delivered strong performances, with no scores lower than 9.3 on 31 of their 33 vaults. This consistency has been crucial in achieving some of the best team scores in UAA’s history.
Looking Ahead
As the Seawolves prepare for the MPSF Championship, the team and fans alike are filled with anticipation.
With a strong lineup of gymnasts and a history of impressive performances, UAA is well-positioned to make a significant impact in this year’s competition.
The Seawolves are not only chasing another MPSF title but also aiming to set new records and build on their legacy in collegiate gymnastics.
For more information on the upcoming MPSF Championship and to follow live updates, visit the official UAA athletics website.
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