Cortland, N.Y. – March 9, 2019 – Behind the impressive performances of senior Candis Kowalik, the Brockport women’s gymnastics team won the 2019 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) East Regional Championship, as the Golden Eagles posted a winning score of 193.700 in Cortland’s Park Center on Saturday afternoon.
Brockport’s 193.700 was a program and NCGA East Regional Championship record, as Ithaca was second with a 191.650. Cortland took the third and final spot for team qualification to nationals with a score of 188.175, just edging out Springfield College, which got a 188.100. Ursinus rounded out the top five with a 186.150, just ahead of Rhode Island College, which produced a 185.525.
Kowalik was named the NCGA East Gymnast of the Year, while teammate Alexis Castellaneta was the NCGA East Rookie of the Year, announced at the meet. In her first season at the helm of the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen, Monica Mesalles Nassi was named the NCGA East Coach of the Year.
Kowalik was first in the all-around competition with a 38.925, as she was followed by Allie Rushlow of Springfield College with a 37.775. Taking third was Rhode Island College’s Allie DiBiase, who just edged out teammate Miranda Murphy, who produced a 37.225. Rounding out the group was a 36.875 from Springfield’s Jess Clemens.
Kowalik won the vault title with a 9.750, as she was followed by Baylie Trammell and Carolyn Nichols of Ithaca, who had matching scores of 9.725. Next, there was a three-way tie for fourth place, as Stephanie Mager of Brockport, Cassidy Marquette of Ithaca and Rushlow all scored a 9.700.
On the uneven bars, Brockport’s Rachel Doll took first with a 9.650, while teammate Taylor Keough was second with a 9.575. Ithaca’s Courtney Christoforo was third with a 9.525, just ahead of three gymnasts tied at 9.500, including Kowalik, Lauren Hansen from Ithaca and Amy Eck from Brockport.
Moving on to the balance beam, Kowalik posted the top mark of the meet with a 9.800, just ahead of Castellaneta, who notched a 9.750. From there, there was a five-way tie for third, including Emma Schulz from Cortland, Alexis Frankowski and Kimberly Musall from Brockport, Katie Holcomb from Ithaca and Sara King from Springfield College, all with a 9.700.
Lastly, in the floor exercise, there was a three-way tie for first at 9.900, including Schulz, Castelleneta and Victoria Gery from Ithaca, which was followed by Kowalik’s 9.875. Wrapping up the top six was Keough and Musall, both with 9.850.