Shawn McFarland
Co-Editor-In-Chief
For members of the Springfield College gymnastics program, every meet carries a certain level of importance. Whether it’s looking to set a new personal record, attempting to qualify for postseason play or just to earn the Pride a win, there’s something on the minds of the gymnasts every time they take to the mat.
But this past Sunday, there something even more important than both individual and team results riding on the meet. The Pride hosted its annual “Tumble for Teal” meet, an event dedicated to raising awareness for cervical cancer. All proceeds from the meet went to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Team Maureen.
Team Maureen is a group founded in honor of Maureen Duffy, a 1991 Springfield College graduate and former Pride gymnast.
“When competing for a meet like Tumble for Teal, we bring pride when bringing awareness to gynecological cancer,” senior Marissa DeAngelo said. “A lot of schools do pink for breast cancer but we relate it back to an alum on the gymnastics team who passed away due to cancer.”
DeAngelo continued, “Alumni know that this is a meet they can’t miss because of how important it is, so being the team that is on the floor competing during this event is truly an awesome feeling.”
Despite a trio of first-place finishes, the Pride fell to Southern Connecticut, 190.550-189.075. DeAngelo put together an impressive Sunday, as she won the all-around competition with a score of 38.075. Her day earned her the NCGA East All-Around Gymnast of the Week award.
“I was proud of myself at the end of the day.” she said. “I had a shaky start during warm ups but we always say, ‘you can’t win the warm ups, win the meet.’”
A physical therapy major, DeAngelo’s workload is larger than that of the average student. Gymnastics, however, has proven to be an escape for her.
“I think this season is also the toughest,” DeAngelo said. “Since I’m in my senior year of PT school, I have a heavy course workload and gymnastics is where I get away from all the stress and work.”
In addition to DeAngelo’s award-winning performance, junior Brianna Kerr and freshman Tali Twomey picked up first-place finishes as well. Kerr came out victorious in the parallel bars with a score of 9.725, while Twomey scored a 9.775 in the floor exercise for first.
On the men’s side, the Pride hosted both Army and Navy. Springfield finished third in the tri-meet with a score of 380.500.
Jannik Haas finished second in the parallel bars with a score of 13.700, while Chris Graff finished fourth on the rings and fifth on the pommel horse.