As the regular season comes to a close, UB is looking to keep its national hopes alive, ranked 8 in the nation and looking ahead to the ECAC tournament. The team’s best event is the Floor exercise which they are ranked 5 in the nation among all of the teams trying to qualify for the USAG nationals held in Texas. In the latest meets for the Lady Knights, UB took on Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in the annual Alumni Meet on March 7, 2003. UB lost a very close meet with SCSU holding a team score of 186.75 and UB holding a 186.25. Junior Korrie Powelski was the high woman for the Lady Knights with and All-Around score of 37.575 leading UB on the Vault and scoring a 9.325 on the Uneven Bars. Senior Joey-Marie Kochanski had an All-Around of 37.5 scoring a 9.8 on her best event, the Floor, and a 9.35 on the Balance Beam.
On March 15, 2003, UB faced Division I powerhouse Brown University in the final home meet for two very special seniors. Joey-Marie Kochanski and Tracy Vassalluzzo competed in their final meet at the Wheeler Recreation Center here at UB. Kochanski pulled out her career high on the Floor exercise with a 9.875 breaking the previous Floor record. She also scored a 9.55 on the Uneven Bars and a 9.425 on the Vault. Vassalluzzo scored a 9.1 on the Vault and 9.7 on the floor having a phenomenal performance in her final home meet. Powelski also had a great performance leading UB in the All-Around with a 38.225.
This past weekend, Bridgeport took on Ivy League and Division I Cornell University and lost by the scores of 186.525 to 187.4. Kochanski won the All-Around with a 38.1 and also placed first on Vault with teammate Powelski scoring a 9.475 and first on beam with a season high 9.75. Other top finishers included Junior Stephanie Pink on the Vault coming in third with a 9.2 and also third on the Bars with a 9.55. Vassalluzzo scored her season high on the floor with a 9.725 and Powelski ended second in the All-Around with a 37.75.
Head Coach Lorraine Duffy coached her final meet at the Recreation Center and is looking to finish her career on a high note with this talented group of gymnasts. “We’ve certainly had our share of misfortune and injuries this year” said Duffy, “my hat goes off to the team members for working hard and pushing through these setbacks, and still having a great year”. Coach Duffy said that she is looking forward to the conference championship this Saturday and would love to come back to UB with a Gold Plaque to add to her collection.
Wishing the UB gymnastics team luck in their quest to the ECAC Championships and and luck making the national championships at Texas Women’s University. Congratulations to Coach Duffy on her retirement from a phenomenal 14-year career here at UB.