WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Yale gymnastics team traveled to George Washginton Sunday to take on difficult competition again after Maryland's Terrapin Invitational last weekend. The Bulldogs thrived on balance beam, placing first. They finished in fifth place overall with a score of 193.300. The Colonials took first, earning a 195.825 at their home arena on Senior Day, while Towson posted a second-place score of 195.625. Maryland received third place with a 195.300 team score, while William and Mary took fourth with a 194.725.
 
The Bulldogs began the meet on the uneven bars. First-year Aimee Titche led off the competition with a hit routine, while junior Alyssa Firth and sophomore Lindsay Chia competed in the second and third positions, both catching their release moves. First-years Raegan Walker and Caitlin Henry posted hit routines for a 9.775 and 9.475 respectively. Junior Jacey Baldovino performed a near-flawless bar set to earn a 9.850.
 
Yale came back strong on the balance beam, tallying a huge 48.975 team score. Junior Charlotte Cooperman led a strong start to the second event, hitting her routine for a 9.775. Chia competed in the second position, sticking a gorgeous routine and scoring a 9.875. Her score was the highest of the entire meet.

"I tried to focus on showing off every landing and doing what I do every day in practice," said Chia. "After sticking my dismount, I knew it was a good routine and I had done my job for the team."

First year Riley Meeks posted another hit routine to continue the Bulldogs' momentum, sticking her dismount for a 9.650. This score is a season high for her. Baldovino tallied a 9.750, the Bulldogs' fifth score above a 9.750 on the event. Seniors Emma Firmstone and Carly Israel both stuck their routines, earning a 9.800 and 9.775 respectively.
 
The floor lineup took third overall. Baldovino started out the third event with a 9.775 and Cooperman followed close behind with a 9.750. Senior Rebecca Chong matched Baldovino's score with a 9.775 and Firmstone followed Cooperman with a solid 9.700. Firth was the highest scorer on this event with a massive 9.800 and senior Sofia Menemenlis anchored the lineup with a 9.450.
 
The Bulldogs ended the meet on vault with a team score of 47.925. Lead-off senior Anna Jennings competed a yurchenko tuck full, while junior Rowan Palmer earned a 9.475 with a yurchenko layout. Cooperman added a yurchenko layout full to her three-event competition and Chong followed Cooperman with a 9.675 yurchenko-half. Titche had an outstanding 9.750 yurchenko layout full. Firth earned the highest score of the lineup with a 9.775.
 
The Bulldogs are back on the road again this coming week, at Rutgers Friday at 7 p.m.
 
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