Yale Claims Second Consecutive ECAC Division I Women's Gymnastics Championship

Final Results PHILADELPHIA, P.A. - Yale University claimed its second consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Women's Gymnastics Championship Saturday. The Bulldogs totaled 195.325 points to take first place at the event, hosted by University of Pennsylvania. Finishing in second place was The College of William & Mary with a team score of 194.575 edging out the third-place team, Brown University (194.025). Rounding out the field was host University of Pennsylvania (193.20), Cornell University (193.150) and Temple University (192.675) Sophomore and reigning co-rookie of the year, Jade Buford, played a big role in helping Yale clinch back-to-back ECAC team titles. She finished second in the all-around competition with a total of 39.15, barely behind the all-around champion, Katie Waldman (39.2) of William & Mary. Taylor White of the Tribe completed the top three all-rounders with a score of 38.95. Freshman Jacey Baldovino contributed to the Bulldogs victory placing first on the balance beam with a 9.9. Megan Ryan and Jessica Wang pitched in on the un-even bars tying for first with scores of 9.8. William & Mary's second place effort was aided with multiple top finished from freshman Katie Waldman. She tied for second on vault (9.8), tied for first on bars (9.8) and tied for third on beam (9.825). Evan Pakshong also contributed a second-place finish on the beam with a 9.85. Other highlights from the meet were Temple's Daisy Todd claiming first on vault with 9.825. Kyra Levi of host school Penn tied for first on bars with a 9.8 and Alex Hartke tied for second on the floor. During the awards ceremony the ECAC handed out yearly individual honors, as voted on by the head coaches. Yale's Jade Buford, took home Athlete of the Year. The Bulldogs also picked up two other additional yearly awards. Jacey Baldovino earned Rookie of the year after a stellar rookie campaign. This makes it back-to-back years the Bulldogs won the Rookie of the Year award. First year assistant coach James Williams also garnered Assistant coach of the year for the squad. University of Pennsylvania senior Alex Hartke won Specialist of the year. Additionally, four student-athletes were selected as ECAC Division I Women's Gymnastics Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their academic achievements. The four recipients were Senior Anaya Barca-Hall of Brown, Junior Kelsy Kurfirst from Cornell, Senior Kyra Levi from Penn and junior Madison Dwyer from William & Mary. The award for Levi and Kurfirst are their second consecutive recognition for their academic ability. Athlete of the Year Jade Buford - Yale University, So. Specialist of the Year Alex Hartke - University of Pennsylvania, Sr. Rookie of the Year Jacey Baldovino - Yale University, Fr. Scholar-Athletes of the Year Anya Barca-Hall - Brown University, Sr. Kelsy Kurfisrt - Cornell University, Jr. Kyra Levi - University of Pennsylvania, Sr. Madison Dwyer - The College of William & Mary, Jr. Coach of the Year Umme Salim-Beasley - Temple University Assistant Coach of the Year James Williams - Yale University ABOUT THE ECAC Established in 1938, the ECAC is the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. The ECAC hosts numerous championships in men's and women's sports across Divisions I, II and III, offering opportunities for thousands of student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com. STAY CONNECTED Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).