The Ithaca Bombers gymnastics team took down rival SUNY-Cortland by .725 of a point, but both teams could not catch second ranked Brockport at the Harriet Marranca Memorial Invitational Saturday.
Ithaca and Cortland were tied for third in national scoring average going into the meet. The Bombers will have the slightest of edges heading into Wednesday’s rematch in Cortland.
Brockport won the meet with a score of 186.475, the Blue and Gold followed with 182.975, Cortland was third with 182.25 and Wilson was well back with 166.675.
As a team the Bombers performed best on the vault and floor exercise, scoring 46.575 on each. On the uneven bars the team scored 45.1 and on beam, 44.725.
Junior Jessica Bolduc led the Bombers by placing first on bars and floor, scoring 9.55 and 9.7 respectively. Sha also had the team’s top score on vault of 9.575 and placed second in the all-around with a total of 37.775.
Senior Kailee Spusta had the team’s next highest score of the meet, with a 9.575 on floor exercise, placing third.
Senior Justine Picciano led the team on balance beam, scoring a 9.05.
The meet was the final home meet for Ithaca’s five seniors, Picciano, Spusta, Caitlin Clear, Lauren Ferrone, and Lauren Marcoux, who were honored after the meet. The team also wore pink leotards to raise awareness for breast cancer research.
This was the 19th year the Ithaca Invitational was held, and 12th since the meet was renamed the Harriet Marranca Memorial Invitational. The late Harriet Marranca was the first coach of Ithaca College gymnastics beginning in 1969. Her teams posted a 68-47 overall dual meet record, and won state titles in 1970 and 1981. She retired in 1982 after 13 seasons.
Ithaca returns to action Wednesday for a rematch with Cortland, their final match before the ECAC championships. The fun begins at 7 p.m.
