NEW HAVEN, CT- The Southern Connecticut State University Owls opened their season hosting the Division 1 Brown Bears, and the Division 3 Springfield Pride and Ithaca Bombers. As a note, wins and losses are somewhat irrelevant as overall scoring by season’s end is critical for postseason appearances, however Brown did take first with a 188.950. Their highest scoring event is a 47.925 on Vault, with an event leading 47.550 on Bars, and 47.575 on Floor. Playlist of most of Brown’s routines:

SCSU opened their year with a 187.750, with their best event on Vault of 47.850, and Floor was their second best event thanks to a 47.175. Playlist of most of SCSU’s routines:

Ithaca scored a 185.925 to open the 2016 campaign. The team’s 46.750 on Beam was the best score of any team on the day. They also picked up a 47.325 on Vault. Playlist of most of Ithaca’s routines:

Springfield improved upon their score from last week scoring a 185.275, led by a 47.750 team vault. The team posted high scores on all four events including a 45.650 on Bars (up from 44.675 a week before.) List of most of Springfield’s routines:

Nicole Pruchnik of SCSU won the Vault with a 9.675, edging teammate Alexandra Avendano’s 9.650, and Brown’s Corey Holman. Brown freshman Gabrielle Hechtman and her fellow Bear Jorden Mitchell had 9.625s as did Springfield freshman Heather Gomes. Valerie Cohen led Ithaca with a 9.55.

Diana Walters of Brown placed 1^st scoring a 9.625 on the Uneven Bars. Kathleen Aberger of SCSU and Brown’s Tori Kinamon acquired 9.575s. Brianna Kerr’s 9.5 was first for SC, and Kelly Nash posted Ithaca’s best score of 9.225.

Brown’s Regan Butchness held steady on Beam to earn a 9.675. SCSU’s Jennifer Rochefort and Ithaca’s Nina Bustamante-Nadeau scored a 9.625. Pruchnik and IC’s Kendra Balcerak had 9.55s as well. Nicole Silva scored well on Beam with her 9.5.

Pruchnik and Brown’s Brooke Williams shared the Floor title flipping for a 9.7s. Mitchell posted a 9.65, and Hechtman had a 9.575. Avendano and Brown’s Alexandra Chretien posted 9.525s. Carolyn Nichols paced Ithaca with her 9.425. Marissa DeAngelo scored a 9.4 to lead the Pride.

Mitchell took the All Around scoring a 37.150. DeAngelo had a 37, and SC’s Jessica Clemens had a 36.375.

Springfield in their second meet had ups and downs. Some gymnasts saw their scores drop, but many saw improvement. DeAngelo (9.55), Gomes (9.625), Clemens (9.55), and Christ (9.45) all improved over last week on Vault. Brianna Kerr’s 9.5 is up from last week on Uneven Bars and Clemens scored a 9.4. Silva’s Beam score was a dramatic improvement. On Floor, Gomes and Croteau all scored higher than the week before.

Brown opens their home slate next Sunday versus Bridgeport and RIC. Southern travels to Towson to take on the Tigers, UNC, and West Chester next Sunday. Springfield is at home next week Sunday as well to face Brockport. Ithaca hosts Brockport Wednesday and heads to Ursinus on the 24th.

Playlist of Routines and Interviews