By David F. Pendrys [My Contribution to Gymnastike Coverage][Modest 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.)

BRIDGEPORT, CT- The Bridgeport Purple Knights were out for more than an ECAC Division 2 Championship, they wanted to solidify their berth to NCAA Regionals, a history making event for a D2 team attempting to get into the D1 showcase. The Southern Connecticut Owls and West Chester University Rams were also looking for ECAC accolades, and individual placements at USAG Collegiate Nationals.

The result was Bridgeport scoring a 195.875, Southern a 191.450 and West Chester a 187.700. Bridgeport’s Sasha Tsikhanovich took the All Around and won Bars and Floor with a 9.925 and 9.950 respectively. Her teammate Monica Mesalles Sallares had a 9.925 to take Vault, and fellow Knight Lorraine Galow scored a 9.85 on the Beam.

SCSU’s Rebecca Brady was the top scorer on Vault for the Owls as she notched a 9.85. Nicole Pruchnik led SCSU on Floor thanks to a 9.85, edging Brady’s 9.825 and Brianna Ecklof’s 9.800. On the Bars, Jennifer Rochefort’s 9.625 was the top Southern score, and Eckloff and Meghan Cole each scored a 9.7 to tie for third in the meet on the Beam.

Bridgeport’s Lissette La Fex was second on Bars thanks to a 9.9, edging Natalie Saimeri’s 9.875. On the Floor, Melissa Doucette and Caitlin Perry placed third behind their teamates as they each score 9.875. Jenna Hamala-Smith rounded out the counted scores with a 9.85 and La Fex had a 9.825 putting UB’s entire rotation above 9.8.

West Chester’s Melissa Prisco and Kaley LaFleur each had 9.6s to lead the team on Vault. Meghan Brannon’s 9.75 anchored their Bars rotation. LaFleur led the scoring again on Beam thanks to a 9.65. On the Floor, Patti Konschak and Melissa Voskian had 9.525s.

Byron Knox was named Coach of the Year, his assistant Becky Caravetta was Assistant of the Year. West Chester’s Emily Seigel was ECAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. SCSU’s Nicole Pruchnik was Rookie of the Year, and Sasha Tsikhanovich was Athlete of the Year.

Bridgeport heads to regionals now. SCSU and West Chester will look to see their USAG placements as well.