Gymnastics Places First in Don Tonry Bulldog Invitational

Saturday, January 30

New Haven, Conn.

1 PM

University of New Hampshire

195.800

191.475

Yale University

Photo by: Greg Greene

1/30/2016 4:56:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Meghan Pflieger (Barneveld, N.Y.) posted the meet's top score on the floor exercise (9.900) and a share of first place in the all-around championship (39.150) in the University of New Hampshire's gymnastics team's first place finish in Saturday's quad-meet versus Yale University, University of Bridgeport, and Southern Connecticut State University.

MEET INFORMATION
Date: January 30, 2016 (1 p.m.)
Score: UNH 195.800, Bridgeport 193.650, Yale 191.475, Southern Connecticut State 187.875
Records: UNH (5-3) | Bridgeport (6-4) | Yale (1-4) | SCSU (3-6)
Location: John J. Lee Amphitheater | New Haven, Conn.
Next Meet: Sunday, Feb. 7 - Wildcat Invitational quad-meet (1 p.m.) against the University of Bridgeport, Brown University and Towson University at Lundholm Gym // Tickets are available HERE or by calling 603-862-4000, extension 5.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats continued their season-long domination on the balance beam, again sweeping the top five scores in the event. New Hampshire also added first place finishes on the uneven parallel bars and the floor to earn the Don Tonry Bulldog Invitational's top score of 195.800.

"We were back in form today. We redeemed ourselves on floor and finished beam in style," head coach Gail Goodspeed said. "Vaulting was our weak area this meet, and will strive to improve this event in the future."

Pflieger also added a second place finish on vault (9.750) and a third place finish on balance beam (9.875) to help seal the team's victory. The junior had her best floor and all-around performances of the season. Casey Lauter (Northport, N.Y.) shared the all-around championship with Pflieger, as both gymnasts scored a 39.150. Danielle Doolin (Medford Lake, N.J.) recorded personal bests on bars and beam to earn a third place finish in the all-around (39.100).

New Hampshire took three out of the top four scores on vault, as Nicole O'Leary (Newtown, Conn.) followed Pflieger in third place (9.725) and Lauter earned a share of fourth place (9.700).

UNH had a very successful day on bars as well, with Danielle Mulligan (Farmingdale, N.Y., 9.900) and Jessica Gracia (Bahama, N.C., 9.825) tying career highs while taking first and second places in the event, respectively. Doolin and Jennifer King (Freehold, N.J.) earned a share of fourth place (9.775).

The Wildcats once again outperformed their competitors on beam, taking the top five marks. Lauter finished first (9.925), while Lia Breeden (York, Pa.) set a new career high (9.900) and earned second place. Pflieger (9.875) and Kelsey Aucoin (Double Oak, Texas, 9.850) followed in third and fourth places, respectively, and Doolin rounded out the top five with a personal-best (9.825).

In addition to Pflieger's top score on the floor, Aucoin, Doolin, and Lauter each finished with a 9.825, earning shares of fourth place. New Hampshire totaled a floor score of 49.150, beating out each of the other three schools in the event. The Wildcats were edged by Bridgeport on vault (48.475-48.300), but won bars (48.975) and beam (49.375).

"I'm proud of this team for getting back that 'UNH confidence' in today's competition," Goodspeed added.

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For more information on the UNH gymnastics team, visit www.unhwildcats.com.