By David F.P.
(Scores from URI sports information release.)

It may have been a metaphor, or just coincidence, but the storm clouds opened up across new England that day, flooding streets and sending wind and rain streaming across the region. Hundreds of fans still made their way to URI to support the Rams, and in addition to this was a show of support from the visiting Brown Bears as well. Unfortunately I have to rely on anecdotes as the storm kept me from seeing this all first hand, but I can at least report on the scores. This report will be brief as I only have a score sheet to look at, but short and sweet both teams had a lot of high points to talk about.

Rookie Ram Danielle Riportella had another great day in the all around with a 38.150, and Brown had a trio of solid all around performances turned in by veteran Jennifer Sobuta (37.650), and Rookies Vicki Zanelli (36.875), and Chelsea Binkley (35.925).

Both teams had good days on Vault with Brown led by Sobuta’s 9.525, followed by Zanelli, Binkey, Bowe, and Albert not far behind. For Rhody, Ananda Fraser had a 9.650 to lead the team, Lauren Wasilewski picked up a 9.575, Heaney and Diamond weren’t far behind, and Riportella and Machado also turned in solid scores. Brown only had five gymnasts in the lineup.

On the Bars, Zanelli picked up the top Brown score with a 9.5, Goldstein, Rivera, and Sobuta also scored solidly as well. For URI, it was a really great scoring rotation with Emily Rinaldo picking up a 9.775, Riportella was right behind with a 9.750, and Erica Heaney had a 9.725. Fraser and Reyell also scored pretty well.

On the Beam, Brown only had five gymnasts as well, but Sobuta continued scoring success with a 9.7, and Zanelli had the Bears second best score for the team. For the Rams, Danielle Lee had the top team score with a 9.575, and Kerry Cutler picked up the team’s second best score with a 9.4, with Tirado and Riportella, and Ginsburg filling out the solid scoring for the rotation.

Finally on Floor, Stephanie Albert picked up the top Brown score with a9 .55, and Sobuta, Diederich, Binkley, and Zanelli also scored well for the rotation. On the Rhody side, Riportella flipped to a 9.775 to top the team scoring, Lee was second with a 9.625, and Pereira, Diamond, and Machado scored well too.

Both teams had to face adversity for varying reasons, but both are rising to the occasion in various ways. Gymnastics is never as simple as just the score sheet, but it does indicate there was a lot of good stuff going on this week for both teams.