By David F.P.
[Video coverage of the meet on Gymnastike] [Photo 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.)

NEW HAVEN, CT- It was senior day at Yale and Brigitte Kivisto and Allison Mak were honored in front of the home crowd as well as plenty of alumni on Saturday afternoon. Both have been major parts of the lineup in their time at Yale and have picked up a variety of ECAC honors along the way, including Mak’s ECAC Beam title, which was a first for Yale. Kivisto, the team’s captain competes deep in the rotation and anchors the floor. Mak anchors Beam with her unique beam mount being a crowd favorite throughout her career.

Also of note was the fact that this would be the last meet in the city of New Haven for SCSU’s senior class. Although their own senior meet was weeks before it still reflected another milestone. Caitlin Briere, Sarah Darst, Briana DiPinto, Nicole Fern, Michelle Guillerault, Sarah Holensworth, Michelle Steel, Taylor Murray, and Robin Underwood all played their roles on the team across town from the Bulldogs in their frequent meetings whether it be at Lee Amphitheater or at Moore Fieldhouse.

Not to go completely overboard with the senior connections, but worthy of mention is that it would also be the last visit to New Haven for Bridgeport’s seniors; Niki Calderon, Hannah Forti, Yohannah Forti, and Carissa Huggins. UB is of course another frequent opponent of both Yale, and SCSU, as well as being a team with few home meets, thus many times the opportunities fans have to see them is at close to home meets in New Haven.

It would also come into play, that most of the seniors mentioned from all the teams had key roles to play in the day’s events as well. Bridgeport would win the day with a 190.7, Yale picked up a 188.3, and SCSU had a 187.2.

On the Vault, former Olympian and Purple Knight Monica Mesalles flew to a 9.9 which led to a massive reaction from her team and rightly so. Her teammate Lorraine Galow was right behind her with a 9.875 and Kivisto made the top 3 for Yale hitting a 9.7 to the crowd’s delight.

Over on the Uneven Bars, Galow put up a 9.75, Huggins a 9.725, and teammate Adriana Panades Erra picked up a 9.7.

The Balance Beam was led by Mak and Bridgeport’s Emily Repko 9.625, and Mesalles picked up a 9.575 as well.

Over on the floor, Yale freshman Tara Feld scored a 9.85 to win the event, Kivisto followed with a 9.75, and Messales picked up a 9.725.

In the All Around Kivisto 38.5, Galow 38.125, and SCSU’s Justine Basley scored a 37.8.

Additional highlights for Yale included Lindsay Andsager scored a 9.65 on Bars. In the All Around, Mak had a 37.725, Feld added a 37.275, and Stephanie Goldstein a 37.250
More highlights for Bridgeport included Miranda Der’s 37.550 in the All Around after being on limited duty last week.
For the Owls, Briana DiPinto led the team on Vault with a 9.575. On the Bars, Justine Basley and Sarah Darst each scored 9.650s, DiPinto was the top scorer on a tough Beam rotation, Samantha Laraway led the team on Floor scoring a 9.675, and Rebecca Brady had a 9.650.

Southern heads to Springfield Sunday. Yale next week will be at Brown for the Ivy League Classic. Bridgeport and SCSU will both be at Rutgers next Saturday as will William and Mary.