FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2003

Three RIC Gymnasts Qualify for NCGA Championships

Providence, RI--Three Rhode Island College gymnasts have qualified for the 2003 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championships, which will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 28-29.

Sophomore Ashley O’Blenis (Warren, RI) has qualified for the NCGA Championships as a floor specialist. This will be O’Blenis’ first trip to the National Championships. She is averaging scores of 9.017 on vault, 8.906 on bars, 8.764 on beam, 9.431 on floor and 36.117 in the all-around.

Sophomore Caren Normandin (Fall River, MA) has qualified for the NCGA Championships as an all-around specialist. Normandin placed fifth in the all-around with a season-high mark of 36.850 at the ECAC Championships. This will be Normandin’s second trip to the National Championships. She is averaging scores of 9.156 on vault, 8.728 on bars, 9.222 on beam, 9.069 on floor and 36.175 in the all-around.

Senior Shannon Hughey (Warwick, RI) has qualified for the NCGA Championships as a vault and bars specialist. This will be Hughey’s third trip to the National Championships. Hughey broke her own school record on bars at the ECAC Championships, placing first overall with a score of 9.650. Hughey is averaging scores of 9.050 on vault, 9.150 on bars, 7.738 on beam, 9.236 on floor and 34.996 in the all-around.

Head Coach Nicole Pannone’s team is 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the ECAC (Div. III). RIC placed seventh (eight teams) at the 2003 ECAC Championships, hosted by SUNY-Cortland, on Friday, Mar. 14. The Anchorwomen posted a team score of 179.550. SUNY-Cortland took home the title for the second consecutive season, posting a team score of 186.675.

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