DURHAM, N.H. – Southern Connecticut women's gymnastics posted its highest score of the season with a 194.150, just trailing host New Hampshire's 194.600. The Owls came from behind after the first two rotations and led going into the final event. Southern also posted its highest Floor Exercise, Vault and Balance Beam scores of the season.
After the first two rotations – the Bars and Vault – Southern trailed, 98.250 to 96.575. The Owls capitalized on several falls by the Wildcats on the Beam while receiving five routines of 9.75-or-higher on its way to a season-best 48.975 on the Floor and the lead heading into the final rotation. Despite winning the Beam rotation with a season-best 48.600, Southern was edged by 0.45.
Libby Allen had her top performance of the season after she posted season-best scores in all three events that she competed. Allen opened with a 9.725 on the Vault and and a 9.775 on the Floor before finishing the day with a 9.650 on the Beam.
Ava Kelly also posted season-bests on the Vault (9.725) and Floor (9.825) while
Jordan Villani led the Owls on the Vault (9.800) and Bars (9.675).
Bars
Southern opened the day with a 47.750 on the Bars with Villani leading the Owls with a 9.675.
Grace Christensen had a season-high 9.625 while
Lola Sepulveda was close behind at 9.600.
Hannah Fitzgerald (9.525) and Annabella Mills (9.325) both scored for the Owls.
Vault
On the Vault, Southern combined for a season-best 48.825 with every Owl scoring a 9.725 or higher. Villani and Allen both posted 9.8's while Sepulveda had a 9.775. Kelly and
Hannah Fitzgerald both recorded a score of 9.725.
Floor
Trailing after two events, the Owls put forth their top Floor effort of the season to gain the lead.
Abby Royer led the Owls with a 9.875 while Kelly was close behind with a season-best 9.825. Allen posted a 9.775 while
Angelina Stanfa and Sepulveda both turned in 9.75 performances.
Beam
Another season best for the Owls, Southern won the Beam competition with a score of 48.600 to UNH's 47.050. This time it was Gabriella Dinisoe with a season-best score of 9.800 out of the anchor spot.
Maria Chronopoulos also had a season-best score of 9.775 followed by
Hannah Fitzgerald, who was competing in the Beam for the first time this year, with a 9.700. Stanfa posted a 9.675 to match her season-best while Allen had a 9.650.
Southern has a quick turnaround and a busy weekend as they head to Long Island on Friday, March 6 and Brown on Sunday, March 8.
