In the aftermath of blizzard Jonas, Friday, Jan. 29, your West Chester University gymnastics team had a huge win in its quad meet against Division I, Temple University, Division III, Ursinus College, and Division III Centenary College. This is the first time in history that your Lady Rams have beaten Temple University. Now 6-0, the Golden Rams scored a 190.875, followed second by Temple University with a 189.575, Ursinus College with a 186.925, and Centenary College with a 177.9. Majesta Valentine took home the first place all-around with a 38.775 followed close behind by Selena Swanger who scored a 38.075, placing third.
The competition began with a rough start to vault. The line-up consisted of Maia Curry, Lindsey Mathis, Samantha Engle, Rachel Blair, Swanger and Valentine. Some high points of the vault rotation included Valentine scoring a 9.625 and placing third, Samantha Engle scoring a 9.525 and placing sixth, followed by Swanger, in seventh with a 9.475 and Mathis tying for ninth with a 9.4.
The second rotation bar line-up was made up of Lindsay Knapp, Emily Harrison, Swanger, Mathis, Valentine and Meghan Brannon. Teammates Brannon and Valentine tied for fifth on bars with a 9.6. Mathis tied for eighth with a 9.475.
The Lady Rams picked up the energy and had an outstanding performance on beam. The line-up was made up of Cecelia Lorenzen, Rose Wortman, Cassie Hageman, Swanger, Knapp and Valentine. Knapp earned an incredible high score of 9.8 placing first, Valentine earned a 9.75 placing second and Swanger tied for fourth with a 9.7.
“It was amazing how the team was able to step up to the plate, especially after missing a meet last weekend. The team came in ready to compete and put everything out on the floor tonight,” said co-captain Knapp.
The audience was in for a show as your Golden Rams rocked the house on the last event floor. The line-up consisted of Mathis, Emily Loughery, Swanger, Blair, Knapp and Valentine. Valentine scored a 9.8 placing first.
Blair had an awesome performance on the floor exercise placing third with a 9.725, tying her personal high score. Swanger placed fourth on floor with a 9.7. Loughery, from Telford, Pa., also had a great floor routine tying for sixth place with a 9.625, and Knapp tied for ninth with a 9.575.
“The meet went really well. Even though there were a few mistakes here and there, we really worked together as a team, lifted each other up, and were able to pull through and win the meet by a decent amount…The chemistry on the team this year is just incredible” said 2015 NCAA Regional Qualifier Valentine.
Be sure to check back next week to see how the West Chester University gymnastics team does Sunday, Jan. 31, as your Golden Rams will head to UPenn for a tri-meet against Centenary, and also competes in the Ken Anderson Invitational at Temple University on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Meghan Chan can be reached at M.chan96@aol.com.