It was all smiles for head coach Jerry Nelson and the Owls after winning the 11th ECAC Championship in program history.
Gymnastics Squad Captures 2008 ECAC Championship
3/22/2008 5:34:25 PM
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics team captured its ninth Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship in the past 11 years on Saturday afternoon in West Chester, Pa. The Owls scored a 187.625 to edge the University of Bridgeport, who tallied a 187.200. Sophomore Taylor Murray (Islip, N.Y.) was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the competition, while freshman Justine Basley (Danielson, Conn.) was tabbed as the ECAC Rookie of the Year.
Southern Connecticut improved to 19-7 on the year and will now prepare for the USAG Collegiate Nationals. That event will take place in Shreveport, La. on April 18-21.
In all, it was the 11th ECAC title in program history for the Owls.
The competition came down to a two-horse race between SCSU and Bridgeport. The Owls actually trailed by a full point heading into the final rotation. However, SCSU rallied on the beam to surpass UB and claim the title. West Chester was third with a score of 174.075.
On the individual front, Basley won the All-Around with a score of 38.200. She also finished first on the beam (9.700) and bars (9.700).
Murray finished third on the bars (9.450) and beam (9.525) to earn MOP honors.
Erika Pysh (Plainville, Conn.) finished third in the All-Around with a score of 37.150. She also took third on the vault and beam.
Two other program members were also recognized on Saturday. Sarah Darst (Tampa, Fla.) was chosen as one of three ECAC Student-Athletes of the Year, while assistant coach Linda Mullin was named ECAC Co-Assistant Coach of the Year.