NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Yale Gymnastics team produced its highest score of the season in a 188.925-183.000 defeat of Springfield College this afternoon at John J. Lee Amphitheater. The Bulldogs topped their previous season best of 187.775, scored in a dual meet against Penn, by over a point. In the process, the Bulldogs scored season-best team totals in three of four events. Coach Barbara Tonry, who was pleased with the team's performance, said that a season-high score was one of the Bulldogs' goals coming into the meet.

“Our goal was to get our highest score, which we knew we were perfectly capable of doing if we took out the little errors,” said Tonry.

On the Vault, senior Brigitte Kivisto finished first with a score of 9.725, and freshman Tara Feld placed second with 9.675. Senior Allison Mak finished fifth with a 9.400. The vault, which is typically one of the Bulldogs' highest-scoring events, was the only event in which Yale did not score a season-high.

On the uneven parallel bars, Kivisto achieved a career-best, posting a 9.650 to tie for the event victory with freshman bars-specialist Lindsay Andsager. Feld and freshman Stephanie Goldstein finished in third and fourth, scoring a 9.600 and a 9.275 respectively. Sophomore Talis Trevino placed sixth with a career-best 9.025.

The balance beam, which was one of Yale's weaker events early in the season, was the source a significant amount of improvement for the Bulldogs.

“It could be our best event,” said Tonry. “[The balance beam] is one event where if you practice and stay on the beam every day of every week, then you control your nerves. We're trying to add to our confidence.” The Bulldogs had their best score of the season on the beam, with Mak leading the way with a first-place 9.775. Feld and Goldstein finished third and fourth with a 9.675 and a 9.425 respectively, both career bests. Junior Sherry Yang had a season-best 9.300, finishing fifth, and Kivisto managed a 9.200 despite receiving a half-point penalty for falling off of the beam. Sophomore Monica Shoji also had a career-best, scoring a 9.125.

On the floor exercise, the Bulldogs took the top two spots. Kivisto placed first with a 9.775, while Feld earned second place with a 9.625. Goldstein and Trevino finished in sixth and seventh place with a 9.425 and a 9.400 respectively.

In the all-around competition, Feld placed first with a career-best 38.575. Kivisto was shortly behind with a 38.350. Goldstein also scored a career best, placing third with a 37.300.
The Bulldogs resume competition next Saturday, Feb. 20, against Southern Connecticut State and Bridgeport. Competition begins at 1:00 p.m. at Yale's John J. Lee Amphitheater.

Report filed by Trey Chandler '11, Yale Sports Publicity.