By David F.P.  [Gymnastike Video Coverage] [Image Gallery] (Note: Coverage was filmed prior to terrible Flosports management decisions that started in 2014. All coverage filmed for FloGymnastics is their property by law. Linkage is not an endorsement of current FloSports management or management decisions. The reporting staff of FloGymnastics remains an excellent group however despite upper management failures.)
January 10, 2010 (Scores from eyewitness account, Rutgers Sports Information release and Troester.)

PISCATAWAY, NJ- Since 2001, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats and the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights have met in their season openers. Despite their being some narrow contests, UNH has won every one of these meets except in 2006. This trend continued as the Wildcats picked up a 189.725 to 188.925 victory Saturday afternoon. Though the scores are more important in positioning each team in the overall rankings though wins and losses themselves as record does not affect rank.

There were definite highs and lows for both teams, though the highs are what is focused on here. In individual placing, UNH’s Helena Diodati and Chelsea Steinberg tied for first on Vault with two 9.8s and their teammate Katie Caliendo was third with a 9.725.

On the Bars the Wildcats swept all three places as well with Danielle Reibold’s 9.725, Steinberg’s 9.575 and Diodati’s 9.475.

Over on Beam, Steinberg’s 9.725 was first, Katie Lawrence second with a 9.65, and Reibold added a 9.575 to give New Hampshire another sweep.

Finally on Floor, Caliendo’s 9.8 was tops, teammate Julie Sauchuk was second with 9.75, and Kiah Banfield from Rutgers had a 9.725.

UNH had no all arounders so the competition there was between Rutgers teammates. Laura Sevarino and Jenna Zito both posted 37.800s, Nicole Romano had a 37.640 and Nicole Schwartz a 36.675.

In the team scores, both teams put up the most high scores on Floor with UNH putting up a 48.5 and Rutgers a 48.275. UNH also posted a 48.250 on vault, and that apparatus was also Rutgers’ 2nd highest scoring event with a 47.525. On the treacherous beam, UNH posted a 47.575, and Rutgers a 47. Neither team enjoyed the Bars very much at all as UNH posted a 45.4 and Rutgers a 46.125.

Other highlights for Rutgers included Laura Sevarino’s 9.65, Alyssa Lewandowski’s 9.625 and Kiah Banfield’s 9.5 on Vault. Jenna Zito had a 9.45 on the Uneven Bars to lead her team and place 4th in the meet. Emma-Rose Trentacosti’s 9.550 on beam was tops among knights and 4th in the meet. Laura Sevarino’s 9.475 was sixth. On the Floor, Sevarino’s 9.675, Nicole Romano and Jenna Zito’s 9.65, and Alyssa Lewandowski’s 9.575 were good for 6,7th, and 9th place respectively in a hotly contested rotation.

For UNH, Diane Grey’s 9.5 on Vault placed 6th, and Julie Sauchuk put up the same score on Beam for a 5th place score. On the Floor, Tasia Percevecz and Taryn LaFountain both had 9.7s which netted them 4th place in what was clearly the most competitive event between gymnasts and teams. Courtney Connors had 9.550 and Austyn Fobes rounded out the lineup with a 9.525.

Rutgers travels to North Carolina state next Friday to continue their EAGL match ups. UNH is back home in Durham on Sunday afternoon as the host their invitational with Utah State, Ball State, and Yale coming up for a quad meet.