By Emma Bynes
@emma_bynes4
The Springfield College women’s gymnastics team has continued to build momentum during the 2025-26 season, reaching several competitive milestones while demonstrating growth against strong regional competition.
The Pride opened the season in January at a quad meet hosted by Brown University, finishing fourth with a team score of 183.425. Brown captured the meet with a score of 193.025, followed by Southern Connecticut State at 190.725 and Rhode Island College at 189.325.
Despite the placement, Springfield produced several standout individual performances, particularly in floor exercise and vault, which helped establish early-season confidence for the team. Two of these performances were from Kora Donley and Stacy Taylor, who posted scores of 9.700 and 9.650 on the floor and vault, respectively.
Springfield followed with one of its strongest performances in recent years at a quad meet hosted by Southern Connecticut State on Jan. 17. The Pride posted a 187.475, marking the program’s highest team score in three seasons and earning a second-place finish. Southern Connecticut State won the meet with a 191.375, while Springfield narrowly topped Rhode Island College, which finished with a 187.350.
Balance beam proved to be a key event for Springfield during the competition, with multiple athletes delivering consistent routines that helped lift the team score. The strong showing reflected the team’s offseason training and growing experience among returning competitors.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs in the past, so getting in the groove and hitting that momentum has really benefited us,” said Ava Kelley, a junior on the team and reigning NCGA-East Specialist of the Week.
The Pride continued their upward trend one week later at a meet hosted by the University of Bridgeport. While Springfield again finished fourth, the team set a new program record on the balance beam with a combined score of 48.450 thanks to Kelley and company. The record surpassed the previous mark set in 2019.
Springfield carried that momentum into February with a third-place finish at a tri-meet hosted by Ithaca College on Feb. 1. The Pride posted a team score of 186.800, finishing behind Ithaca, which scored 189.575, and Rhode Island College, which finished at 187.900.
Springfield delivered steady performances across vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise, demonstrating balanced production across all four events.
Throughout the season, Springfield has relied on a combination of experienced upperclassmen and lots of emerging contributors to maintain competitive scores. Several athletes have delivered consistent all-around performances, providing leadership both in competition and during training.
“We have a young team with a lot of freshmen coming in,” Kelley said. About her award on Jan. 28, she said “I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I go in with the mindset for every meet of trying to do my best for the team.”
With several meets remaining on the schedule, including one this weekend at Rhode Island College, Springfield’s women’s gymnastics program aims to continue refining their routines and building toward postseason competition.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics