BROCKPORT, NY - The Utica University gymnastics team fell on the road to the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles in the team's first dual meet of the season. The Pioneers fell 193.100-185.025.
The Pioneers strongest event of the evening was the balance beam, where the team combined for 46.600 points. In the vault, Utica combined for a total of 46.525 points. Utica continued to shine on the floor exercise, combining for a total team score of 46.325. On the uneven bars, the Pioneers landed a combined team score of 45.575.
On vault, it would be the duo of Emmy Graff (Boulder, CO/Connections) and Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) that would lead the way for the Pioneers, each placing in a tie for third and fifth, respectively. Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) and Haley Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) each shined in the event for Utica as well, landing in eighth and 11th place. Rounding out the scorecard for the Pioneers was Aubrey Hughes (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) who landed a score of 9.075.
On the uneven bars, Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland) would lead the Pioneers with a season best 9.500 in the event. Graff and Christina Troche (Manalapan, NJ/Saint John Vianney) slotted in not too far behind Langston, with Graff notching a 9.425 and Troche a 9.125. Rounding out the scorecard for Utica in the event were Kaitlyn Vaz (Salem, OR/Baker Early College) and Olivia Rosen (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge), each with scores over 8.600.
On the balance beam, Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) put together a stellar performance, taking home the top Pioneer finish with a score of 9.625 for her highest mark in the event of the season. Graff followed Walters with a 9.475, followed by Langston with a 9.375. Rounding out the scorecard in the balance beam for the Pioneers was DiPalo with a 9.150 and Ainsley Pinckard (Pflugerville, TX/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) with an 8.975.
On the floor exercise, Walters shined, once again taking home the top Pioneer finish with a score of 9.575. Emily Plone (Hudson, OH/Hudson) and Olivia Rosen (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) each took home scores over 9.300 to finish ninth and 10th respectively. Julia Pecora (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area) and Graff completed the Pioneer floor team, with Pecora notching a 9.200 and Graff with an 8.900.
The Pioneers return to action on Sunday, March 2 as the team travels to Cortland, NY to take on the Cortland Red Dragons in the team's final dual meet of the season. Start time is slated for 1pm.
