ECAC Announces Women's Gymnastics Weekly Awards
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announces its weekly awards winners for women's gymnastics for the week of competition ending Feb. 4.
Division I
Gymnast of the Week
Jade Buford – Yale University, So., Coppell, Texas
Sophomore Jade Buford had a great weekend competing in all four events against Iowa State, Northern Illinois and West Virginia. This was the fourth consecutive meet in which Buford competed in the all-around. She scored a season high on beam with a 9.725 and tied her season high on vault with a 9.725. She rounded out the four events with a 9.7 on floor and a 9.625 on the uneven bars for an all-around score of 38.775.
Specialist of the Week
Darcy Matsuda – University of Pennsylvania, Fr., Emerald Hills, California
Matsuda had a fantastic weekend setting two career highs. She first set a career-high with a 9.85 on the balance beam helping the Quakers post the second-best score in school history of 49.075. She continued her outstanding weekend by hitting her second career mark of 9.8 for her floor exercise. This performance helped the Quakers win the event with a 48.675 and get the overall win against Ivy-rival Cornell.
Rookie of the Week
Jacey Baldovino – Yale University, Fr., Santa Clara, California
Baldovino gets her second consecutive rookie of the week as she continues to have an outstanding freshman year. This week she posted a season high in the all-around with a 38.95. She hit a season high marks on both the vault (9.725) and the balance beam (9.825). She to complete her all-around score she got a 9.725 on the uneven bars and a 9.675 for her floor routine.
Coaches Choice
Regan Butchness – Brown University, Sr., Barrington, Illinois
Regan Butchness stepped up in a big way for Brown this past weekend. She won the beam in the home opener with a score of 9.8. The score was a season best for Regan and helped to provide leadership for the team. She will look to continue her success as Brown heads to Maryland to compete against Rutgers University and The College of William & Mary.
Division II
Gymnast of the Week
Maya Reimers – University of Bridgeport, So., New York, New New York
Sophomore Maya Reimer had a great weekend winning two events for the Purple Knights. She scored a 9.7 on vault and 9.85 in the floor exercise to win both of those events. In her final event, balance beam, she hit a mark of 9.7. Reimers was a top competitor for the Purple Knights as they went on to set an season high score of 194.35.
Specialist of the Week
Madi Brent – West Chester University, Sr., Waxhaw, North Carolina
Senior Madi Brent went out and set a season high in her specialty, the floor exercise. She received a score of 9.75 to earn the season high score and tie for second. The score was not only a milestone for Brent but it also helped the team earn their highest score on the floor exercise this season.
Rookie of the Week
Emily Balasco – Southern Connecticut State University, Fr., Seekonk, Massachusetts
Freshman Emily Balasco wins her first rookie of the week award in 2018. The freshman tied for first place on the beam to help the Owls win their dual meet against Rhode Island College. Balasco received a score of 9.65 for her performance on the balance beam.
Coaches Choice
Nina Wittaker – University of Bridgeport, So., Salem, New Hampshire
Whittaker posted a career high this past weekend with her floor exercise routine garnering a 9.775. The score was good enough to earn second at the event in which the Purple Knights snagged first through fourth. She also competed on vault to earn a score of 9.675 to help the team get a 48.4 for the event.
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