COLLEGEVILLE, PA. - Gianna Mirigliano (Springfield, PA/Roth's CrossPoint Gymnastics) and Samantha Meadows (Cypress, TX/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics) each won events as the Cortland women's gymnastics team opened the season with a narrow dual-meet setback at Ursinus College, 186.20-185.85.
 
Mirigliano won vault with a 9.65 and Meadows was the balance beam champ with a 9.575. Four other Red Dragons posted runner-up finishes. Tessa Sutton (Fairport/Rochester Gymnastics Academy) placed second on floor exercise (9.75), Olivia Chapman (Buffalo/Stumpf's Gymnastics Center) tied for second on vault (9.55), Autumn Adkins (Aledo, TX/Impact Athletics Training Center) tied for second on uneven bars (9.425), and Tayah Graham (Syracuse/Blaze Gymnastics) tied for second on balance beam (9.50). Graham also finished fifth on vault (9.475).
 
Aria Roberts (Charlotte, NC/Everest Gymnastics) tied for third place on floor (9.70) and Kiana Wong (Elk Grove, CA/Dream Xtreme Gymnastics) finished fourth on uneven bars (9.35). Kyleigh Brown (Tunkhannock, PA/Endless Mountains Gymnastics) finished fifth on uneven bars with a 9.20, tying her career high in the event, and Rylee Fishkin (Manlius/CNY Gym Centre) placed sixth on floor exercise (9.65).
 
LeeLee Sanders won bars (9.475) and Sidney Schreiber was the floor champion (9.85) for Ursinus. The Bears' Erin Roe was the lone all-around competitor and finished with a four-event score of 37.70.
 
The teams were tied at 92.325 after two rotations - Ursinus scoring a 47.075 on vault and 45.25 on bars, while Cortland scored a 45.40 on bars and a 46.925 on vault. Cortland outscored the Bears on floor, 47.65-47.35, but the hosts recorded a 46.525 on beam to the Red Dragons' 45.875.
 
Cortland returns to action on Friday, Jan. 23, with a dual match versus Utica University at Valley Gymnastics in Utica.

Coach's Corner - Comments from Head Coach Sulekha Modi Zaug:

In this sport you can be physically ready but nerves can take over. The potential, skills, and execution are all there, but now the mental game comes into play. It was a good test to start off the season with a lot of new athletes joining the lineups. There were some stellar routines and strong fights for perfect landings that were very impressive for early season. We are excited to be back in the gym to make good use of a bye week and tighten up routines before we head into our second week of competition. It is very exciting to be starting gymnastics season.  
 
Ursinus 186.20, Cortland 185.85

(Top 4)

Vault: 1) Gianna Mirigliano (CORT) 9.65, T2) Olivia Chapman (CORT) 9.55, T2) Michaela Duffy (URS) 9.55, T2) Erin Roe (URS) 9.55
 
Uneven Bars: 1) LeeLee Sanders (URS) 9.475, T2) Autumn Adkins (CORT) 9.425, T2) Lauren Coleman (URS) 9.425, 4) Kiana Wong (CORT) 9.35
 
Balance Beam: 1) Samantha Meadows (CORT) 9.575, T2) Tayah Graham (CORT) 9.50, T2) Arianna Ellis (URS) 9.50, 4) Erin Roe (URS) 9.475
 
Floor Exercise: 1) Sidney Schreiber (URS) 9.85, 2) Tessa Sutton (CORT) 9.75, T3) Aria Roberts (CORT) 9.70, T3) Lucy Warburton (URS) 9.70
 
All-Around: 1) Erin Roe (URS) 37.70  (only all-around competitor)