Women’s Gymnastics Finish 2nd at the ECACs; Valentine & Cordova Award Winners

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University finished in second place as they hosted the 34th Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II Women's Gymnastics Championships inside Hollinger Field House on Saturday. The University of Bridgeport won its ninth consecutive championship and 20th overall with a final score of 194.925. West Chester came in second for the second consecutive year with a 192.875, while Southern Connecticut State University scored a 190.050 and finished third. "It was very exciting to be in Hollinger Field House," said head coach Barbara Cordova. "It was something we wanted to do for a very long time." The Golden Rams provided second place finishes in the vault (47.9), bars (47.425), and floor (48.450). Meanwhile, the squad broke a program record in the balance beam by tallying a 49.050 to be slated first. "We didn't have our best meet today, but did hit our best beam today," Cordova remarked. "To hit that 49 mark is just amazing. We have done that on floor this year and now on beam so that is exciting." Contributing toward the record setting performance on the balance beam were Selena Swanger (Gettysburg, Pa.), Sarah Boyd (St. Petersburg, Fla.), and Cassie Hageman (Carlisle, Pa.). Swanger and Boyd both tied for second in the event with a score of 9.85. Hageman on the other hand saved her best for last, registering a season-high 9.8 that tied for fourth. So., Myranda Marshall (Lancaster, Pa.) produced a 9.7 on the bars, which tied for fourth as well for the Golden Rams. West Chester's Majesta Valentine (Wilmington, Del.) finished the championship tied for first on the floor (9.875) as well as second in the all-around (39.0) and tied for second in the uneven parallel bars (9.775). At the conclusion of the meet, Valentine was named the 2017 ECAC Division II Athlete of the Year. She has now claimed the honor in back-to-back seasons. She revealed that it was a great honor, but something special considering that this is her senior year. This event was also an opportunity for her to prepare for regionals and nationals. Additionally, Cordova was named Coach of the Year. Valentine went on to say how her head coach deserved the honor after all the hard work she has put into the program and where it is today. It is not an understatement that Cordova has brought this program to new heights. Cordova mentioned that this was the best season ever for the Golden Rams and was not wrong about it. In 2017, West Chester rewrote the record book with new team records in the overall score (194.4), vault (48.675), bars (48.575), beam (49.050), and on the floor (49.125). The next stop for the Golden Rams will be the NCAA regionals on April 1st with the location to be determined. Award Winners: Athlete of the Year- Majesta Valentine (West Chester) Rookie of the Year- Maya Reimers (Bridgeport) Specialist of the year- Briana Comport (Bridgeport) Co-Scholar Athletes of the year- Kathleen Aberger (Southern Connecticut) & Christine Liautaud (Bridgeport) Assistant Coach of the year- Linda Mullin (Southern Connecticut) Coach of the year- Barbara Cordova (West Chester)