The gymnastics team had a productive winter break, compiling a 5–1 record, and is currently ranked third in the nation in scoring average by the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association.
The NCAA does not sponsor Division III gymnastics so Ithaca competes within the NCGA, which is made up of Division III colleges.
The Bombers were ahead of three other teams, including Division I Yale, at their season opening quad meet in the Ben Light Gymnasium on Jan. 15. The Bombers edged nationally top-ranked SUNY Brockport for the win by a mere six-tenths of a point 184.75 to 184.15. Yale followed with 179.5 and Rhode Island College was fourth at 155.575.
Junior Jessica Bolduc finished first in the all-around with a score of 37.875 over the four disciplines. She finished tied for second on the uneven bars, vault and floor exercise and sixth on the balance beam. Bolduc also posted Ithaca’s highest score of the meet with a 9.675 on the floor exercise.
The South Hill squad dominated the uneven bars, taking three out of the top four places. Freshman Shilanna Gallo tied for second, with Bolduc scoring 9.325 and sophomore Chelsea Robie placed fourth with a core of 9.25.
Gallo also placed fifth on the vault, scoring 9.425. For her efforts at the meet she was named ECAC Freshman of the Week.
On the vault freshman Jenna Van Dusen tied with Bolduc for second with a score of 9.575.
The team then traveled to Rhode Island College on Saturday and placed second in another quad meet. Bridgeport University bested the Bombers 188.05 to 182.25. Wilson College was third at 160.225 and Rhode Island College gain brought up the rear with 156.4 points.
Bolduc placed second in the all-around with a score of 37.25 and was followed by fellow junior Kay Gordon and freshman Jenna Van Dusen who placed third and fourth with scores of 36.0 and 35.7 respectively.
Bolduc placed second overall in both the uneven bars and floor exercise, scoring 9.525 in both events and was third on vault with a 9.450. Van Dusen also placed fifth on the vault with a 9.45
On the balance beam senior Justine Picciano and junior Lauren Moroch tied for fourth with scores of 9.475.
Ithaca returns to action next on Saturday when they will take on Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. in a dual meet.
