Three Bridgeport Gymnasts Earn Weekly ECAC Awards
Sasha Tsikhanovich, Monica Mesalles Sallares and Natalie Saimeri Honored For Their Fine Performances In Last Thursday's Dual Meet Win Over Southern Connecticut State
Centerville, Mass.-The University of Bridgeport women's gymnastics team had three members earn weekly ECAC Awards for their outstanding performances at the Purple Knights' dual meet victory at the home Thursday evening over Southern Connecticut State University. Sophomore Sasha Tsikhanovich (Marysville, Ohio) was named Gymnast of the Week; Senior Monica Mesalles Sallares (Barcelona, Spain) earned Specialist of the Week, and Senior Natalie Saimeri (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) was selected as the Coaches Choice of the Week.
Tsikhanovich, arguably, had her best performance of the 2013 season as the Purple Knights defeated Southern Connecticut State on 2/28. At the meet she won the all-around competition with a season best 39.425. In doing so, she won the beam (9.800) and floor exercise (9.900), while tying for first on the vault (9.875) and finishing second on the bars (9.875).
Mesalles Sallares earned Specialist of the week for her performance against SCSU. At the meet she tied teammate Sasha Tsikhanovich in the vault with a score of 9.875, while taking second place in the floor exercise with a 9.875 mark.
Senior Natalie Saimeri helped the Purple Knights post their highest score of the season (195.300) with solid performances on the vault (9.725) and bars (9.725) during the dual meet on Thursday.
This was the fourth time this season that multiple members of the gymnastics team have won weekly ECAC awards. Mesalles Sallares has earned weekly awards three times so far, while Sasha Tsikhanovich and Lissette La Fex each have earned two weekly honors.
This Saturday, March 9, the Bridgeport gymnastics team is in action at the Ohio State University where they will face the host Buckeyes in a dual meet. The meet gets underway in Columbus at 4:00 p.m.