UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's gymnastics team is set to compete in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association East Regional meet on Saturday March 8 at 1pm.
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video and live results can be found here.

Ticketing Information: Tickets will be available to purchase in person on meet day, Saturday, March 8th in cash only. 
Adult: $10
Senior Citizen (65 & Older): $7
Child (Age 4-17) & College Student w/ ID: $5
Children 3 & Under, Brockport Students w/ ID: Free
 
Last Time Out: 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. On bars, Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland) secured first overall with an impressive 9.825 and Kaitlyn Vaz (Salem, OR/Baker Early College) had a strong finish of 9.550 to take home fifth place. Utica dominated the beam event by taking control of the podium. Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) took first place with a 9.725, Ainsley Pinckard (Pflugerville, TX/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) secured second place with a 9.700 and was followed closely by Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) (9.675). Marra continued this dominance in the floor event where she secured the event title with a 9.775. Graff was right behind with a 9.600. The team's score was boosted by both Emily Plone (Hudson, OH/Hudson) (9.475) and Walters (9.450). On vault, three Pioneers made it into the top 5 with Graff taking the top spot with a 9.625. She was supported by superb performances from Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) (9.500) and Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) (9.450).
 
Gymnast of the Week: Emmy Graff (Boulder, CO/Connections) has been named NCGA East All Around Gymnast of the Week, as announced by the league on Wednesday. Graff set a new program record in the All Around against Cortland with a total score of 38.625. On vault, Graff landed first place on vault with a score of 9.625. On bars, Graff took second place with a score of 9.750. On beam, Graff took home fourth place with a score of 9.650. On floor, Graff took home eighth place with a score of 9.600.
 
Safe Keeping: Last time out for the Pioneers, Utica combined for a team score of 46.950 on vault for the team's third highest score this season. Graff notched her highest score of the season in the event against Cortland, taking home first place with a 9.625. Madison Villani (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) has continued to be a dominant part in the Pioneers vault lineup, posting her highest score of the season against Cortland as well. Jenna DiPalo (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) has also been key to the success of the Pioneers in the event, consistently posting scores over 9.400 this season. 
 
High Flyers: Alyssa Langston (Pearland, TX/Pearland) was a standout performer on the uneven bars for the Pioneers last time out, setting a new individual program record with a score of 9.825 and taking home first place in the event. Kaitlyn Vaz (Salem, OR/Baker Early College) has been a staple in the Pioneer's bar lineup, posting her highest score of the season against Cortland with a 9.550.  
 
Beaming with Pride: Utica also set a new team beam score record with a combined team score of 48.075. Abigail Walters (Lake Grove, NY/The Stony Brook School) set a new personal best in the event with a score of 9.725 to take home first place against Cortland. Ainsley Pinckard (Pflugerville, TX/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) has also been consistent in the beam lineup, securing second place against Cortland with a 9.700.
 
On the Floor: Utica has excelled in the floor exercise this season. Grace Marra (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) continued her dominance in the floor event where she secured the event title at Cortland with a 9.775. Graff was right behind with a 9.600. The team's score was boosted by both Emily Plone (Hudson, OH/Hudson) (9.475) and Walters (9.450).
 
The Field: Attending the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association East Regional are the hosts, SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles, the Ithaca Bombers, the Rhode Island College Anchormen, the Springfield College Pride, the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons, and the Ursinus College Bears. 
 
Up Next: Qualified athletes will advance to the NCGA National Championship, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College. Start time on March 21 is yet to be determined.