The Cortland Women’s gymnastics team took on Utica University this Sunday for their senior meet in Park Center. Utica recently added gymnastics to its division III sports catalog and has been making its mark with its team of 16 girls.
This is Cortland’s last meet to give it their all before they move to the 2024 NCGA East Regional Championship. Cortland’s Gymnastics team has been consistently striving and improving to reach perfection throughout the season with their team of 24 girls.
The seniors for the Red Dragons are Delaney Brown, a Fitness Development major from Peru, NY, who specializes in Vault, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise. Next is Christelle Louis, an Exercise Science major from Carle Place, NY, who specializes in Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Last but not least, there is Paige White a Media Production major from Farmingville, NY, who specializes in Vault and Floor Exercise.
The impact these girls have made on this team is one of a kind as they started their college gymnastics careers during COVID-19 curious if they would ever fulfill their dreams as college athletes. They were fortunate enough to have the opportunity of three years of college gymnastics and it has forever changed their lives. The girls put out their best effort in their performance at their last home competition in Corey Gymnasium.
Cortland started off strong with powerful vaults and Delaney Brown got a career-high score of 9.625. As they advanced, the energy was high and the Red Dragons were ready to swing some bars. With clean routines, the team fought for every tenth and freshman Taylor Goldstein had the meet’s highest-scoring bar routine of 9.675. Taking the lead over Utica, the girls brought their sticky feet to the Balance Beam where the underclassmen showed they were in it to win it.
Freshman Samantha Meadows put out a tying first-place score of 9.700 and Christelle Louis showed off her calm and collected talents scoring a 9.525 as an exhibition. Keeping the energy going, it was time for the Floor Exercise where the girls have what they call a “floor party” and they show off their best dances and aggressive tumbling passes. Seniors Paige White and Delaney Brown got one last chance to perform and truly gave it their all. Both are choreographers for the team so they were in their element for one last home meet. Delaney had another high score of 9.700 and Paige performed confidently putting out a 9.200 as an exhibition. Cortland finished their dual meet with a 190.225 over Utica’s 184.35 inspiring motivation and excitement for a solid week of practice before they show off their skills at Regionals.
Following their big win, the seniors stated what being a part of this family meant to them over the last four years and how their lives have been impacted as student-athletes;
Christelle Louis: “Cortland gymnastics has brought me long-lasting friendships and sisterhood that I will cherish forever. I am forever grateful and honored to have been given this opportunity to do this sport with such amazing girls. I learned so many lessons that I will take with me as I step into the next phase of my life and I appreciate everything and everyone that has helped me to get here today.”
Paige White: “Cortland gymnastics has changed my life because it made me live in the present moment, appreciate my teammates, and overcome difficulties. I’ve never been part of a team that was so close and every single one of these girls cares about one another. I also have gotten injured and learned how to keep my head tall and move forward. I’m so grateful to have had this experience.”
The seniors were very sad to say goodbye to friends, family, and team supporters in their last home meet but they are forever grateful for their gymnastics family and everything Cortland Gymnastics stands for. The team is excited to keep persevering through the season and give it their all at the NCGA East Regional Championships on Saturday, March 9th at Ithaca College. We are all wishing the team the best of luck moving forward with the end of your season.