ITHACA, NY - 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.
Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) and Emmy Graff (Boulder, CO/Connections) led Utica in the all-around competition, finishing 3rd and 4th overall with scores of 37.525 and 37.475, respectively. Marra showcased her consistency across all four events, earning a 9.525 on vault, 8.600 on bars, 9.625 on beam, and a team-high 9.775 on floor. Graff delivered an equally impressive performance, scoring a 9.250 on vault, 9.625 on bars, 8.925 on beam, and 9.675 on floor.
Utica started the meet on bars, where Graff led the team with a 9.625 to take ninth place in the event. Ainsley Pinckard (Pflugerville, TX/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) (9.000) and Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland) (8.800) added solid contributions, while Marra (8.600) and Christina Troche (Manalapan, NJ/Saint John Vianney) (8.000) rounded out the team's scoring five.
In the Pioneers second rotation, Utica was highlighted on beam by Langston, who tied for 9th place with a 9.750. Marra followed with a 9.625, while Haley Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) (9.500) and Pinckard (9.450) delivered consistent performances. Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) and Graff tied with an 8.925, contributing to Utica's impressive team score.
Utica had its strongest rotation on floor, where Marra posted a 9.775 to take eighth place. Graff followed with a 9.675, while Adisson Ferri (Gillbertsville, PA/Boyertown) (9.650) and Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) (9.600) added solid scores. Julia Pecora (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area) (9.350) rounded out the top five scores, helping Utica to a team-best 48.050 on the event.
The team finished the meet on vault, with Marra leading the way once again, scoring a 9.525. DiPalo (9.450), Miller and Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) (9.375), and Joscelyn Wabick (Buffalo, NY/Orchard Park) (9.275) contributed to the final team event total of 47.000.
Utica takes a short break, and returns to action on Friday, February 21 as the team takes on the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles in a dual meet. Start time in Brockport, NY is set for 6pm.
