The BG gymnastics season came to an end as none of the three competitors were able to clinch a top two spot in the all-around competition to advance to the NCAA Championships.
Alyssa Nocella was able to commandeer the ninth overall spot finishing with a 39.150, the best of the three for the Falcons, along with posting a 9.700 or better on the vault, beam, and bars along with a 9.850 on the floor.
Nocella’s ninth place finish, was the best since BG Hall of Famer, Marny Oestreng back in the late 1990’s including having the best score in Falcon history at NCAA Regionals.
Megan Harrington finished 10th with a 38.925 in addition to posting a 9.600 or higher in both vault and bars and a 9.800 or better in the beam and floor routines.
They were beat out by two LSU gymnasts in Rheagan Courville who scored a 39.725 and Jessie Jordan who had an all-around score of 39.600, along with eight others finishing before them.
Gina Locigno rounded the Falcons out with a 12th place finish of 38.400 posting a 9.725 on beam, 9.675 on bars, 9.200 on beam and a 9.800 on the floor.
Despite not being able to qualify for the NCAA Championships, all three girls were able to improve upon their previous all-around score at NCAA Regionals from years past dating back to 2012.
In 2012, Gina Locigno posted a 36.975 good for 19th overall, along with Megan Harrington in 2013 placing 12th overall and now finishing two spots higher at 10th in 2014. Furthermore, Nocella who finished in 11th place last year in all-around went up a couple spots to 9th.
As this chapter of Falcon gymnastics comes to a close, the team has seen vast improvements notching more wins each year going from 2-12 (1-5) in the 2011-2012 season and 5-11 (3-3) in the 2012-2013 season and now to 7-9 (4-2) this most recent season.
With the tough schedule head coach Kerrie Turner has put into motion for the team, the Falcons have continued to progress and get better as a collective unit inching closer to teams like Kent State and Central Michigan.
BG will lose three key gymnasts who have been a critical part in helping to reshape the Falcon gymnastics program. Those three gymnasts are seniors Harrington, Megan Valentini and Lacey Swords.
Experienced gymnasts Locigno, Nocella and Lauren Feely will return next year, which along with several other talented gymnasts, will give the Falcons a good chance in competing for Mid-American Conference championship and more in 2015.
