UTICA, NY - The Utica University gymnastics team is set for its first dual meet of the season this week. The team will travel to Brockport, NY to take on the Golden Eagles on Friday, February, 21 with a start time slated for 6pm.
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live results can be found here.
Last Time Out: The Utica University gymnastics team put up a strong performance in a highly competitive meet at the Empire State Collegiate Championship, finishing 6th overall with a team score of 186.325. The meet was won by the host, Cornell (194.200), followed by LIU (193.425), Brockport (192.450), Cortland (191.950), and Ithaca (190.250). Utica posted a total team score of 186.325, with their strongest event being floor exercise (48.050). They also put up solid scores on balance beam (47.250) and vault (47.000), while earning 44.025 on uneven bars.
Consistency Is Key: The Pioneers have found consistency in the lineup with seven Pioneers starting in every meet this season. Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue), Emmy Graff (Boulder, CO/Connections), Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland), Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East), Julia Pecora (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area), Christina Troche (Manalapan, NJ/Saint John Vianney), and Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) have each competed in every meet for the Pioneers.
Ready for Takeoff: Utica's vault team of DiPalo, Graff, Marra, and Villani have accounted for just over 188 total points for the Pioneers this season. Graff currently holds the team's top score this season with a 9.600 back on Feb. 2, but Marra holds the highest total score on the team, accumulating 47.550 total points this season.
Swing Swing: Graff and Langston have been the top contributors on the bars for the Pioneers. Graff is currently averaging scores just under 9.600 in the event, while Langston is averaging scores of 9.300. Troche currently holds one of the team's top scores in the event with a 9.525, only competing in bars in four of the five meets this season.
It's All About Balance: Langston and Ainsley Pinkard have led the Pioneers on beam this season. Langston currently holds the team's highest score in the event with a 9.750. Pinkard has only competed on beam three times this season, and notched a career high 9.700 back on Feb 2.
Hit the Floor: Floor exercise has been the Pioneers strongest event this season, with the team reaching its highest score in program history last time out. Marra and Graff have led the way for the Pioneers, competing in the event at each meet this season. Marra currently holds the top score on the team in the event with a 9.800 that she took home at the first meet of the season. Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) has also shined for Utica, notching a 9.600 in the event last time out.
A Look at Brockport: The SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles have averaged team scores of 191.175 so far this season. Leading the way for the Golden Eagles on vault is Kiara Hockman, who has landed a 9.775 in the event in four of the last six meets. On the uneven bars, Maren Eramo leads the team, taking home scores of over 9.475 in the event since the beginning of the season. On beam, Hockman holds the top scores on the team with a 9.800 that Hockman took home back on Feb. 16 against Ithaca. Hockman also holds the team lead in the floor exercise, with a combined 59.075 total points this season.
Up Next: The team travels to Cortland, NY to take on the Red Dragons in a dual meet on Sunday, March 2. Start time is set for 1pm.
