Once again, the West Chester University gymnastics team (10-2) proved to be a team to look out for as they defeated another Division I team on Saturday, Jan. 31, scoring a 190.875 against Centenary College (186.35) and the host team, the University of Pennsylvania (190.60).
In an effort to keep the season at 10 meets, Coach Barbara Cordova was able to get the Lady Rams into the competition, which was a smart move considering the WCU gymnastics team beat the team beam score for the second time in one weekend. They set new high scores as well.
After already beating the team beam score this season, the Golden Rams did the unthinkable and beat it again, scoring a 48.275. The record-breaking beam line-up was made up of Cecelia Lorenzon, Rose Wortman, Cassie Hageman, Selena Swanger, Lindsay Knapp, and Majesta Valentine.
Valentine beat her own personal all-around high score, also the record high score, winning the all-around with a 38.925, which was 0.25 higher than her previous record setting score. Valentine also placed second on vault with a score of 9.675, tied for third on bars with a 9.65, placed first on beam with a 9.825, and first on floor with a 9.775.
Meghan Brannon beat her record high bar score, scoring a 9.825 and placing first in the event. Wortman scored her career high on beam with a 9.75, placing fourth.
Swanger had a great meet, scoring an all-around of 38.05 and tying for second. Swanger also tied for third with a 9.65 on vault, placed eighth on bars with a 9.35, tied for 11th on beam with teammate Lorenzen with a score of 9.5 and placed seventh on floor with a 9.55.
Freshman Maia Curry, from Erdenheim, Pa., had a great vault during the meet, scoring a 9.5 and tying for eighth. Senior Alyssa Hult tied for sixth on bars with a 9.4. Knapp tied for fifth on beam with a 9.7. Rachel Blair placed 11th on floor, scoring a 9.425.
At the Ken Anderson Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 6, the WCU gymnastics team held their own in a competition against host Temple University, the College of William and Mary, Southern Connecticut State University and Ursinus College.
The Golden Rams came in third with a team score of 190.975, behind first place William and Mary with a score of 191.375, and second place Temple University with 191.175. Coming in fourth was Southern Connecticut State University with a score of a 188.85, and in fifth was Ursinus College with a score of 187.7.
Valentine scored a 38.875 all-around, coming in first, as well as first on vault with a 9.775, and second on beam with a 9.625. Swanger scored an all-around of 38.175, also coming in third on beam with a 9.6.
The Golden Rams scored a team bar score of 48.225, breaking the record bar score. The line-up consisted of Emily Harrison, Swanger, Lindsey Mathis, Hult, Valentine and Brannon.
Scores that contributed to the record-breaking bar score were Swanger with a 9.55, Mathis also with a 9.55, Hult with a 9.6, Valentine with a 9.75 and Brannon with a 9.775.
Other high points of the meet were Curry on vault, scoring a 9.55, and Wortman on beam, scoring a 9.5. On floor, Mathis scored a 9.575, Wortman scored a 9.6 and Swanger scored a 9.65.
Emily Loughery had an amazing routine scoring a 9.625, and Valentine had a scoring a 9.725.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, the WCU gymnastics team will be traveling to New Haven, Conn. to compete in a tri-meet against Rhode Island College and host team Yale University.
Meghan Chan is a second-year student. She can be reached at MC827361@wcupa.edu.