George Washington University Athletics
GW Gymnastics to Compete at Little Boston Invitational on Saturday
1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
| George Washington Gymnastics at Little Boston Invitational | |
| Date, Time | Saturday, January 9 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Location | Hynes Convention Center | Boston, Mass. |
| Competing Teams | George Washington | New Hampshire | Rutgers |
| Coverage | Live Scoring | Watch Live |
| Additional Information | GW Notes | Season Outlook | Meet the Team Photo Gallery |
LEADING OFF: The George Washington gymnastics team opens its 2016 campaign at the Little Boston Invitational against EAGL rival New Hampshire and former conference rival Rutgers, now a member of the Big 10.
TAKING NOTICE: Following a record-setting season in 2015 that saw the Colonials win their first-ever EAGL Championship, make NCAA Regionals for the 11th time in program history and set a trio of new program records, GW has cracked the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Preseason Coaches Poll (NACGC/W), checking in at No. 35.
New Hampshire (33rd) and Rutgers (ARV) are also recognized in the poll.
SENSATIONAL SOPHOMORES: The Colonials' sophomore class of seven student-athletes returns following a very impressive freshman campaign. Amongst the returning gymnasts is Cami Drouin-Allaire, Jillian Winstanley and Sara Mermelstein.
Drouin-Allaire is the first Colonial gymnast in program history to earn All-America honors from the NACGC/W after earning the distinction on vault. She is also the second GW student-athlete to ever qualify and compete at the NCAA Championship. Additionally, she was the EAGL Vault champion and an First Team All-EAGL selection on vault, floor exercise and all-around.
Winstanley is the second consecutive GW gymnast to take home the EAGL Rookie of the Year award after Chelsea Raineri earned the honor in 2014. She was also the EAGL Uneven Bars champion last season and a First Team All-EAGL pick on vault, uneven bars, balance beam and all-around.
Mermelstein was the EAGL Co-Champion on balance beam while also earning First Team All-EAGL honors on the event.
RECORDS RECAP: The Colonials set three new program records in 2015 for overall team score (196.875), vault (49.50) and floor exercise (49.45).
On the individual level, Drouin-Allaire tied the program record for individual vault score when she registered a 9.95 on three occasions during her freshman season. Junior Chelsea Raineri also scored a 9.95 during the season to join Kristen Simpson and Erin Aiken for the best vault routines in program history.
THE ROAD AHEAD: GW's 2016 schedule will take the team to a pair of high-profile competitions (Little Boston Invitational and Perfect 10 Challenge, Feb. 12 in Oklahoma). Additionally, the Colonials' slate features 15 opponents that are currently ranked or receiving votes in the NACGC/W Preseason Poll, including No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 16 Denver, No. 27 NC State, No. 32 Maryland, No. 33 New Hampshire and No. 34 Utah State.
LOOKING AHEAD: GW will open the home portion of its 2016 schedule on January 17 by hosting the ninth annual Lindsey Ferris Invitational against Cornell, North Carolina, Penn and Temple. The Colonials will then hit the road for four consecutive meets before returning home on February 19.
