Valentine Opens up 2017 with ECAC Honors

DANBURY, Conn. - West Chester senior Majesta Valentine (Wilmington, Del.) was sensational to open up the 2017 season, claiming the top spot in six events to capture ECAC's Women's Gymnast of the Week award for Division II. In the season opener, she swept all four events, setting a school record on the floor exercise, as the Golden Rams' lady gymnasts defeated host Ursinus by a final score of 191.050-186.875 on Thursday. Valentine posted a score of 9.9 on the floor to establish a new school mark. On bars, the senior anchored the event with a winning score of 9.6. From there, West Chester swept the top five spots on the vault, including Valentine's winning score of 9.75. The Golden Rams totaled a score of 48.6 on the balance beam to break another school record. Valentine and Selena Swanger went one and two in that event as well. Valentine scored a 9.85 while Swanger posted a 9.775 to cap off the record-setting performance. Valentine's all-around score was the high for the meet as well (39.1). The senior followed up that performance by taking first in both the vault and bars as West Chester (3-0) swept Southern Connecticut State and SUNY-Cortland in a tri-meet on Sunday. Valentine produced a 9.75 in the vault, while obtaining a final score of 9.65 on the bars. She claimed runner-up on the floor exercise with a score of 9.8. On the beam, the senior placed third with a 9.675 and a 38.875 all-around. This is Valentine's first honor this season and the first for the Golden Rams.