NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Yale gymnastics team delivered its best performance of the 2020 season Saturday, as a team score of 194.150 resulted in the Don Tonry Invitational title. The score is the team's highest score this season. The Bulldogs edged out Bridgeport (193.150) and SCSU (190.525).
 
Yale started off the competition on vault where junior Alyssa Firth earned the top spot for the Bulldogs, scoring 9.775. Senior lead-off Anna Jennings started off the quad competition strong, earning a new season high score of 9.600. Fellow senior Jade Buford performed a front-entry vault receiving a 9.6050. Junior Charlotte Cooperman finished top 10, also scoring 9.650, tying Buford. Senior Rebecca Chong earned a 9.300, with a yurchenko half. First-year Aimee Titche rounded out this event for the Bulldogs, earning a massive 9.750, placing in the top three.The exhibition of the day was junior Rowan Palmer.
 
The Bulldogs then rotated to the uneven bars, where Buford was the top scorer. Her score of 9.750 landed her on podium. Firth was number one in the line-up lead-off spot with a hit routine (9.375). First-year Caitlin Henry made her first appearance of the day on bars, sticking a routine (9.525). Junior Jacey Baldovino continued her three-event competition with a score of 9.675. Sophomore Lindsay Chia and first-year Raegan Walker also made their debuts of the day and received scores of 9.650 and 9.075. The exhibition of the day was Titche.
 
Balance beam was the second-best rotation of the day for the Bulldogs with a 48.775. Senior Emma Firmstone and Buford were the top scorers; they earned impressive season highs of 9.825 and finished in first place. Sturdy lead-off Cooperman stuck her routine to post a 9.675. Close behind was Chia, with a score of 9.575. Firth put up a spectacular score of 9.700, landing her in the top five. Baldovino followed Buford in lineup and held a well-executed routine (9.800). The exhibition of the day was senior Carly Israel.
 
The final event for the Bulldogs, floor, proved to be the best (48.925). Buford finished her last event with a huge season-best performance, 9.775. Upperclassmen continued to have strong performances, with Cooperman and Chong scoring 9.750 and 9.800. This is a season high for Chong. Baldovino and Firmstone also received impressive scores of 9.725 and 9.750. Firth completed the floor lineup with a huge 9.850 hit floor routine. This is a career- and season-high for the Long Island native. The exhibition of the day was senior Sofia Menemenlis.
 
Buford and Firth were two of five all-arounders in the competition. Buford took first place with a season-high a score of 39.000, while Firth put up an impressive 38.700, securing her a second-place spot.
 
The Bulldogs will compete in front of a home crowd for the last time this season Feb. 9th, as Brockport comes to New Haven for a dual meet. This competition will also honor the Yale Gymnastics senior class for their success and accomplishments as Bulldogs.