ITHACA, NY - The Utica University gymnastics team finished sixth at the Empire State Collegiate Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 184.325. The other competing teams were Long Island University, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Cortland, Ithaca College, and Cornell University who hosted the event.
 
Alexis Castellaneta (Watkins Glen, NY/Watkins Glen) and Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) continued their season-long dominance in the floor routine with the former earning a 9.900 and the latter a 9.800. Castellaneta's mark was the best in the event with Marra finishing tied for fifth. Olivia Rosen (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) (9.325) and Ryli McGorry (Orefield, PA/Parkland) (9.150) also did well.
 
The Pioneers turned in a solid performance on the balance beam with Castellaneta leading the way with a score of 9.725 which was one of the best in the event. The trio of Marra (9.650), Olivia Fragala (Cave Creek, AZ/ASU Digital Prep) (9.475), and Haley Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) (9.425) all turned in strong performances and scored over 9.425. 
 
Castellaneta (9.600) and Marra (9.425) were each fantastic in the vault with Miller and Madison Reed (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) each turning in a 9.250.
 
Melissa Ainsley-Pinckard led Utica in the uneven bars with a score of 8.900. Ryli McGorry (Orefield, PA/Parkland) (8.850) and Castellaneta (8.750) were right behind Ainsley-Pinckard and also did well in the event.
 
Castellaneta finished third in the all-around with a total of 37.795 and Marra finished fifth with a total of 37.325.
 
Utica (0-1) will travel and face Rhode Island College on Sunday, February 18 at noon.