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Sophomore Julia Zimmerman placed first in the floor exercise on her way to the all-around victory
  
 
Women's Gymnastics Drops Season Opener to Springfield, 181.550-172.525

Sophomore Julia Zimmerman Captures Top Spot in All-Around

Jan. 11, 2007

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sophomore Julia Zimmerman placed first in the floor exercise with a score of 9.550 en route to capturing the all-around competition on Wednesday night, but her heroics were not enough for MIT to overcome Springfield College, as the Engineers fell to the Pride, 181.550-172.525. The contest was the season opener for both teams.

With the loss, Tech drops to 0-1 on the young season, while Springfield improves to 1-0 with the victory.

In addition to her victory in the floor exercise, Zimmerman placed third in vault (9.325) and second in uneven bars (9.300). Her overall score of 36.725 was good enough for the all-around crown.

Freshman Gillian Conahan picked up MIT's other first-place finish with a score of 9.150 on the balance beam. The Portland, Ore. native also showed her prowess in the floor exercise with an impressive routine.

Junior Sarah Trowbridge was another top performer for Tech, as she placed fourth in balance beam (9.000) and sixth in floor exercise (8.750).

Head coach Jen Miller-McEachern had nothing but praise for her entire squad following the 2007 season's first competition, noting the strong performances of freshman Gina Policelli and junior Sophia Harrison on the uneven bars and sophomores Rachel Tatem, Alison Barnard and Laura Kelly on the vault. Meanwhile, the third-year head coach said that senior captain Lara Hershcovitch "performed like a true veteran" in her floor exercise, while freshman Katie Mingo put up a strong point total on the balance beam.

"At the end of the night, it wasn't about the scores," said Miller-McEachern, who is pleased with the way her team seems to have bonded at such an early point in the season. "We left [Springfield] feeling confident that with a little more practice and continued support from each other, we will be well on our way," she added.

Tech will have chance to prove that it is indeed on its way when it travels to Dekalb, Ill. on Sunday, Jan. 14 to take on Div. I Northern Illinois University at 2:00 p.m.