Kaicie Boeglin
Editor-in-Chief
On Saturday afternoon, the Rhode Island College Women’s Gymnastic team won awards and made a new record. On March 26, sophomore Olivia Keyes and junior Kelsey Gates each earned two All-American awards at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) National Championship. Plus, Monica Mesalles Nassi RIC’s Head Women's Gymnastics Coach was awarded with the NCGA National Coach of the Year.
Keyes finished second on beam and in the all-around to earn NCGA All-American honors in both categories. She finished in a tie for 35th on vault (9.425), she came in 26th on bars (9.425), she tied for second with a new RIC record on beam (9.800). Keyes also tied for seventh on the floor (9.775) and was second in the all-around with a new program record (38.425). Keyes finished one spot shy of earning All-American honors on floor. She was named the NCGA East Region Rookie of the Year .
Gates finished second on the floor and tied for fifth in the all-around to earn NCGA All-American honors in both categories. She finished in a tie for 35th on vault alongside Keyes (9.425), she tied for 35th on bars (9.000), 38th on beam (8.900). Gates finished second on the floor (9.850) and tied for fifth in the all-around (37.175). Gates is keeping up momentum as she was an all-around All-American as a freshman in 2019-20, and is still going strong.
RIC Head Coach Mesalles Nassi has previously received the NCGA East Region Coach of the Year Award. She is only the second RIC coach to ever receive the NCGA National Coach of the Year Award. Dick Stapleton was the first RIC Coach to win during the 1995-96 academic year. Under her coaching the team has been able to establish several program records. The Anchorwomen placed sixth at the NCGA East Region Championship on March 12. RIC earned a new program-best, 187.025, team score at a quad-meet hosted by SUNY Cortland on March 6. RIC has also established new program records for the highest bars (45.050), beam (47.825) and floor (48.600) team scores at a meet over the winter.
Freshman Emma Tucker tied for 12th on vault (9.650) and finished 21st on beam (9.625). Tucker has broken the individual vault record (9.700), while Keyes recorded the program's highest marks ever on beam (9.800), floor (9.875) and in the all-around (38.425) over the course of this season.