West Chester University’s women’s gymnastics team is back at it for the 2012-2013 season. The Lady Rams are currently 3-0 and have been extremely successful from the start. The girls have dealt with challenges and battled numerous injuries to work their way to the top.
The season began for the Lady Rams with a victory on Jan. 16, at Ursinus College. Senior Melissa Voskian placed first in the floor exercise and second on the vault with identical scores of 9.575. Fellow senior, Kaley Lafleur, took first place on the vault with a score of 9.6. The Rams successfully defeated the Ursinus Bears with a team total of 183.4-180.675.
Following this win, the team headed to SUNY Cortland in upstate New York where they were able to record another victory. The Lady Rams took second through fifth place on the uneven bars. LaFleur finished first on the balance beam with a score of 9.65 and freshman Lindsay Knapp placed second with a 9.55. The Rams had additional success on the vault where, sophomore Melissa Prisco was second with a score of 9.475.
In the team’s third meet of the season, the Ram’s put on an excellent show for the home crowd, resulting in a 187.000-185.600 victory against visiting team SUNY Brockport. This was the team’s highest total score so far this season. The Golden Rams won the uneven bars with huge scores, including freshman Meghan Brannon’s first-place, record-breaking score of 9.775. Junior Karen Laskaris finished second behind Brannon with a score of 9.550 while fellow junior Paige Griffin finished fourth, landing a score of 9.475.
“This is my favorite memory in all of the years I have been doing gymnastics. At the time I felt overwhelmed and excited,” said Brannon.
The team found success on other events also including Lindsay Knapp hitting a routine to score a 9.575 in the floor exercise. Her efforts secured her a first place finish in the meet.
“I am so proud of how our team has started the season with a 3-0 record. Even though as a team we have had a lot of injuries, the girls have really stepped up and improved. I am really excited to see what this season has in store for us,” said head coach Barbara Cordova.
The West Chester women’s gymnastics hopes to continue their success when they travel to the Ken Anderson Invitational, hosted by Temple University, on Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.
Emily Seigel is a third-year student majoring in early childhood education with a minor in reading. She can be reached at ES734640@wcupa.edu.