Gymnastics Takes Third in Season-Opening Quad

Gymnastics Takes Third in Season-Opening Quad

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An impressive collection of floor scores highlighted the Ursinus College gymnastics team's season-opening performance at a quad meet hosted by Rhode Island College on Saturday.

The Bears placed third in a field that also included fellow NCGA East Region counterparts Brockport (186.300), Springfield (183.300), and the host Anchormen (177.200).

Ursinus compiled a 47.100 on the floor, second only to Brockport on the day, to go with a 46.150 on the vault, 45.525 on the beam, and 41.350 on the bars.

Junior captain Eleanor LaFountain and freshman Kaylin Knapsack placed second overall on the floor and beam, respectively, to headline the Bears' first competition under new head coach Kim Valenti.

LaFountain carried over her fine floor work from last season to the 2019 opener, carding a 9.775 to finish in second place overall behind only Springfield's Tali Twomey (9.825). Dating back to the 2018 campaign, LaFountain has tallied at least a 9.700 on eight of her last ten floor exercises.

Sophomore Hailey DiCicco was impressive in her collegiate debut, posting a 9.650 to land in fifth overall on the floor. Junior Autumn Snape (9.275), senior Matisen O'Brien (9.200), and freshman Kaylin Knapsack (9.200) rounded out the team's top five.

Knapsack led the way on the beam, receiving a stellar 9.400 from the judges to finish behind only Brockport's Candis Kowalik (9.625). LaFountain earned a 9.325 to place fourth. O'Brien joined them above the 9-point mark with a 9.100.

Senior captain Lindsay Rush was the standout on vault, grabbing a team-leading 9.400 in her first action of the season. First-year Emma Brown was right behind with a 9.375, and sophomore Alex Lacey logged a 9.225.

Lacey scored a 8.950 for the team's highest output on the bars.

LaFountain and DiCicco each completed the all-around for the first time in their careers. LaFountain picked up 36.375 points, with Lacey registering a 35.925 and DiCicco a 34.675.

The Bears return to action next Sunday, January 20, with a dual meet at West Chester.