Gymnastics Closes Strong to Secure Spot in WCGNIC Team Finals
Purple Knights place second in Friday's team semifinals with a score of 193.250.
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Powered by their fifth-highest team score (193.250) of the season, the University of Bridgeport's gymnastics squad placed second at the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) team semifinals on Friday afternoon in West Chester, Pa. With the top-two finish, the Purple Knights advance to the team finals for the second consecutive year, set for tomorrow evening.
In addition to the team success, UB also saw six gymnasts qualify for the WCGNIC individual event finals. Lena Coxon (vault), Nova Staruk (vault), Emily Hernandez (bars), Abby Kenney (bars), Nicole Pujals (bars) and Rian Thompkins (beam) will all be in action on Sunday.
TEAM SCORES
Southeast Missouri (SEMO): 194.350
Bridgeport: 193.250
Alaska Anchorage: 192.375
UB EVENT SCORES (in rotation order)
Beam: 47.725
Floor: 48.400
Vault: 48.650 (season high)
Bars: 48.475
INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Purple Knights turned in a strong all-around showing, highlighted by seven top-five performances and several season-best scores.
On beam, Rian Thompkins led the way with a season-high 9.825 to tie for third, while Samantha Krenzel (9.675) and Molly McAleavey (9.625) added respective finishes of 12th and 14th.
UB followed beam with floor, where Abby Kenney placed eighth with a 9.750, Maggie Coyle earned a 9.725 to tie for ninth, and both Nova Staruk and Tamyra Singletary recorded matching 9.700s (12th).
UB excelled on vault with a season-best score, as Lena Coxon and Nova Staruk each tied for third with marks of 9.800, signifying a season-best for Coxon, while Kenney followed with a 9.775 (t-6th).
The Purple Knights' highest event score of the day came on bars, where Emily Hernandez captured first place with a season-best 9.775. Kenney added a fourth-place finish with a 9.700, and Nicole Pujals alongside Samantha Nokes rounded out the effort with matching 9.675s to tie for fifth.
UB'S QUALIFIERS TO SUNDAY'S INDIVIDUAL FINALS
Vault: Coxon, Staruk
Bars: Hernandez, Kenney, Pujals
Beam: Thompkins
UP NEXT
The Purple Knights will now compete in the WCGNIC team finals tomorrow night at West Chester at 7 p.m.