by D.F. Pendrys
(Scores from eyewitness report, and verified against Troester scores.)
The Wildcats opened the season last weekend on the road at Rutgers with a win, but would have their home opener last Friday at home in Lundholm before a pretty packed house. Rhode Island was set to open their season on the road.
URI had lost three starters from last season, but had several veterans returning, including a few from injury, and also had a group of freshmen ready to step into the lineup. Rookies Riportella, Thompson, and Diamond all started and contributed.
UNH also lost several starters, but had a long list of returnees to draw from as well as newcomers. Rookies Steinberg and Caliendo started and contributed.
URI’s best event scoring wise was on Floor, and they put together a solid round on Vault. They had some Bars and Beam struggles it would seem though. They seemed to be keeping pace with UNH in the FX and Vault though. UNH’s team score on Vault dropped over a point from last week’s victory over Rutgers, but they improved their Bars score by nearly .9. Their floor exercise score hardly changed at all, and their beam score dropped slightly. The team had their struggles on Beam and Vault it would seem.
New Hampshire opened on Vault, while Rhody opened on Bars. Helena Diodati picked up the top score of 9.825, Kelsey Alwin had a 9.75 , and Schenkel a 9.55 . A couple of falls lead to a lower team score than the week before.
Rhode Island’s Erica Heaney picked up the top score on Bars with a 9.625, Emily Rinaldo had a 9.575 in her first meet back.
In rotation 2, Rhode Island went to the vault. Ananda Fraser lead the way with a 9.55, Lauren Wasilewski had a 9.525, rookie Danielle Riportella picked up a 9.5. Another rookie, Lindsay Diamond picked up URI’s fourth score with a 9.35.
On the Bars, the wildcats counted five scores above 9.6, Diodati lead in both events she competed in with a 9.85, Rebekah Porter had a 9.725, and Beth Bronson a 9.725. Alwin picked up a 9.7 and Diane Grey a 9.6.
On Rotation 3, New Hampshire took to the beam, and while there were some low scores, Taryn LaFountain scored a 9.825, and rookie Chelsea Steinberg had a 9.7. It would be a tough meet for both teams on Beam score wise.
Rhody competed on Floor. Ananda Fraser continued a run of FX success and had a 9.7. Danielle Riportella scored a 9.675 in her first competition. Danielle Lee, also in her first meet in awhile, picked up a 9.6. This came along with Casey Pereira’s 9.45, and Lindsay Diamond’s 9.375.
Rotation 4 put Rhody on Beam. While there were some scoring struggles, Lee had the team high of 9.525, and Riportella picked up her second 2nd place team finish when she had a 9.3. Riportella was the only all around competitor for either team.
On Floor, Fairen Plummer, and Rebekah Porter lead the team with 9.675’s. Lindsay Kovary and Taryn LaFountain had 9.525s. Rookie Katie Caliendo had the team’s fifth highest score with a 9.375.
The final score would be URI 186.750 and New Hampshire 190.6.
Team Event Scores.
UNH VAULT (troester: 47.275) (down 1.375 from last week.)
UNH BARS (troester: 48.6) (up .875 from last week.)
UNH BEAM (troester: 46.95)(down .250 from last week.)
UNH FLOOR (troester: 47.775)(down .075 from last week.)
URI VAULT 47.1 (confirmed by troester)
URI BARS 46.425 (confirmed by troester.)
URI BEAM 45.425 (confirmed by troester.)
URI FLOOR 47.8 (confirmed by troester.)
