CORTLAND, NY – The Utica University gymnastics team delivered a strong performance but came up just short in a competitive dual meet against SUNY Cortland, finishing second with a team score of 189.325. Cortland secured the victory with a total of 190.300.

Utica's strongest event was the balance beam, where the team earned a 48.075. They also put up solid scores on uneven bars (47.125), floor exercise (47.175), and vault (46.950).

Individually, Emmy Graff (Boulder, CO/Connections) led Utica with an impressive all-around performance, winning the title with a total score of 38.625. She delivered consistent routines across all four events, highlighted by a first-place finish on vault (9.625) and a second-place score on uneven bars (9.750).

On bars, Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland) claimed the event title with a standout 9.825, while Kaitlyn Vaz (Salem, OR/Baker Early College) added a strong 9.550 to place fifth. Utica also excelled on beam, with Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) taking first place with a 9.725, followed by Melissa Ainsley Pinckard (Pflugerville, TX/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) (9.700) and Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) (9.675), who finished second and third, respectively.

Marra also led Utica on floor, securing the event title with a 9.775. Graff followed with a 9.600, while Emily Plone (Hudson, OH/Hudson) (9.475) and Walters (9.450) helped boost the team's score.

On vault, Graff's winning 9.625 was supported by strong performances from Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) (9.500) and Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) (9.450), rounding out the top five.

Utica will now ready for the NCGA East Regional on Saturday, March 8. Start time in Brockport, NY is set for 1pm.