Meet Results
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University’s women’s gymnastics squad eclipsed the 189 mark for the second time this season en route to a top score at it very own quad meet on Senior Night at Sturzebecker HSC Friday night
West Chester scored a 189.175 to outdistance second-place Ursinus College, which posted a 187.200. Rhode Island College was third with a 173.975, and Wilson College was fourth with a 161.525. Golden Rams freshman Stephanie Schuler won the all-around competition with a 38.050.
The Golden Rams set a new team record on the balance beam with a total score of 47.7 while junior Kaley LaFleur scored a new team-high and personal best 9.85. She received a 9.9 from one judge and a 9.8 from the other. Emily Seigel scored a 9.65 on the beam as well while Schuler and Melissa Prisco each posted a 9.5.
Schuler won the vault with a 9.7 while teammate Alli Aquila won the uneven bars with a 9.55. LaFleur’s beam score was tops for the meet. She also finished second in the floor exercise with a 9.575. Aquila was right behind LaFleur on the floor with a 9.55.
Aquila was one of four seniors honored after the meet. That foursome represents head coach Barbara Cordova’s first graduating class to go through all four years together.
“When I started her four years ago, we were scoring in the 170s,” Aquila reflected. “We just wanted to score a 180. Now, to be coming so close to a 190 is truly amazing, not only skill-wise, but as a group and the unity of this team as a whole.
“We didn’t anticipate the records. We just tried to improve everyday and the rest took care of itself. All the records we have set are just the icing on the cake. (Coach Cordova) has such a great passion for this sport and for all the gymnasts on the team.”
Sophomore Paige Griffin and Schuler placed second and third on the uneven bars right behind Aquila. Griffin scored a 9.45 and Schuler a 9.425 as West Chester swept the top three spots.
West Chester returns to action on March 4 with a dual meet at Springfield College in Massachusetts.
