Cornell Gymnastics Eyes Empire State Championship Repeat Amidst Strong Individual Performances
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell Big Red gymnastics team is gearing up for the Empire State Collegiate Championships at Cortland on Saturday, February 14th, aiming to defend their title against a competitive field of Modern York state teams. This year’s championship will feature Brockport, Ithaca, Long Island University, and Utica, alongside the host Red Dragons.
Recent Performance and Key Athletes
Cornell enters the competition following a third-place finish at the Penn Quad Meet on February 6th, where they scored a 192.650. Several gymnasts delivered standout performances, signaling positive momentum heading into the championships.
Sarah Goetter showcased her skills on the floor exercise, tying for third overall with a score of 9.825. She also contributed solid scores on vault (9.675) and uneven bars (9.450). Morgen Shambo excelled on the uneven bars, tying for second place with a 9.750, and added a 9.800 on floor in exhibition. Grace McLean demonstrated consistency on the balance beam, finishing seventh overall with a 9.825, alongside scores of 9.675 on vault, and 9.625 on floor.
Vault Strength and Specialist Recognition
Cami Whitaker continues to be a strong performer on vault, achieving a 9.800 at Penn to secure fourth place. Her consistent performance earned her recognition as the GEC Specialist of the Week on February 11th. Mikayla Burton previously received the same honor on February 4th, highlighting the team’s depth of talent.
Cornell has consistently achieved strong vault scores throughout the season, averaging over 48.400 across five meets. The team will glance to leverage this strength as they pursue their first team victory of the season.
Looking Ahead: Home Meet on the Horizon
Following the Empire State Championships, the Big Red will return to Newman Arena to host Yale on Sunday, February 23rd, at 1 p.m. This home meet will provide another opportunity for Cornell to showcase their skills and build towards future competitions.
Empire State Collegiate Championship History
Cornell previously won the Empire State Collegiate Championship on February 9, 2025, with a team score of 194.200, their highest score of the season. The competition included Brockport, Cortland, Ithaca College, Long Island University and Utica University.
Individual Highlights from 2025 Championship
At the 2025 championship, Kiara Hockman of Brockport achieved the meet’s highest score on vault with 9.775. Dahlia Jhaveri earned a 9.725 for Cornell on vault, even as Addy Rothstein scored 9.700. Hockman also achieved a personal best of 9.900 on floor. Avery Byun and Sydney Beers of Cornell scored 9.875 and 9.850 respectively on floor. Natalia Tehrani led Cornell on uneven bars with a 9.700, followed by Sydney Beers with 9.600. Morgen Shambo achieved a 9.750 on vault.
FAQ
Q: Where is the Empire State Collegiate Championship being held?
A: Cortland, N.Y.
Q: When is the Empire State Collegiate Championship?
A: Saturday, February 14th at 2 p.m.
Q: Which teams are competing at the Empire State Collegiate Championship?
A: Cornell, Cortland, Brockport, Ithaca, LIU, and Utica.
Q: What was Cornell’s score at the Penn Quad Meet?
A: 192.650
Q: Who was named GEC Specialist of the Week recently?
A: Cami Whitaker.
Did you know? Cornell gymnastics consistently demonstrates strong performances on vault, averaging scores above 48.400 this season.
Stay updated on Cornell Gymnastics by visiting the official Cornell Athletics website.
