Off to a 1–1 start, the gymnastics team is still trying to figure out the right blend of routines to complete the lineup and enhance the team’s scores.

Sophomores Jessica Bolduc and Kay Gordon have been key contributors to the lineup. As the main all-around competitors, they show the greatest consistency for the team. These routines were instrumental to the Bombers’ 181.650–163.850 victory over Rhode Island College on Saturday, giving the team its first victory of the year after the team dropped its opening meet to SUNY-Brockport on Jan. 16.

Head Coach Rick Suddaby said usually his strategy is to set up the lineup according to start value and difficulty of routines. The scores should build throughout the lineup and the last gymnast should get the highest scores.

The Bombers are still finding this balance and getting used to performing their new routines. Suddaby said he hopes the team can improve as the season continues and develop a consistent rotation.

“That’s how we typically set up the lineup, but that doesn’t always work out because we’re not great yet, but we’re getting better,” Suddaby said.

Because only the top-six gymnasts for each team count in the scoring, the last two gymnasts in each event Saturday performed their routines in exhibition for judges. The scores did not count to the overall team score, but Suddaby said this allows the gymnast’s routine to be judged in a meet environment and gives her a chance to get used to competing. The other six gymnasts on the team all compete toward the team score, but the scorers drop the lowest of the six. Though the pressure of getting that contributing score is intense, the Bombers are confident in their abilities.

“We always try to keep the energy high in a competition setting, and of course, we’re very encouraging,” Gordon said.

The Bombers keep the mood light by dancing and laughing between events and motivating one another by cheering. The Blue and Gold use this light-hearted attitude to develop consistent routines and recover after falls. Six out of eight gymnasts stuck their balance beam routines, and the two that did fall still achieved scores above 8.2.

“We fall in practice, and we have to finish,” Suddaby said. “It’s just the standard we set, and a lot of meets are going to be won and lost on whether we can finish or not. We’re not perfect. We’re trying to get better, and to do that, you just teach it and finish it.”

Sophomore Tiffany Grube has added a punch to the lineup with her finishes. Her powerful Tsukahara — a half onto the vault table and a backflip off — vault and toe-tapping floor exercise routines earned her great scores. Freshman Chelsea Robie got her first start in a college level meet this weekend and showed her potential.

Suddaby said he is excited about his freshmen, including Katie Sampson, who is recovering from illness and foot injuries. Suddaby said once Sampson gets out there she will help the team’s lineup improve.

The Bombers host Springfield College at noon Saturday in their next meet, and though the team is still working out the kinks, Bolduc said she looks forward to a promising season.

“We just need to trust our abilities in order to be successful at what we do,” she said. “I know we can do it. We are an amazing team, and we all have the potential.”

Ithaca College vs. Rhode Island College - 1/23/2009 - PDF