Unstoppable Teams: UC Davis and UC Berkeley Dominate Nationals, While UC Davis Club Gymnastics Dazzles at NAIGC Championships!
This year, a strategic collaboration between the UC Davis Field Hockey Sports Club and UC Berkeley led to a remarkable performance at the National Field Hockey League's Spring Tournament from April 11th to 13th. The partnership emerged due to the high costs of attendance and the challenge of gathering enough players individually.
Competing as a unified team, the UC Davis Club Field Hockey showcased their prowess in a series of pool games. They kicked off strong, securing a 1-0 win against the University of Maryland. The team continued to impress with a decisive 5-1 victory over Sacred Heart University and an overwhelming 7-0 triumph against Towson University. They concluded the pool stage with an astounding 11-0 win over American University, finishing second overall and earning a bye in the morning rounds.
Advancing to the quarterfinals, the team faced the University of Pittsburgh and emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. The semifinal against Florida International University was particularly thrilling, culminating in a nail-biting tiebreaker shootout. Demonstrating tenacity and skill, the combined team won 2-1 and advanced to the championship game.
Although they narrowly lost to the University of Virginia with a score of 0-1 in the final, the team's journey was filled with pride and satisfaction. Their performance throughout the tournament highlighted both their athletic talents and the rewarding bonding experience they shared, reinforcing the dedication and hard work put in during the season. This success at nationals marks a significant milestone for both UC Davis and UC Berkeley, showcasing the power of teamwork and collaboration in collegiate sports!
Meanwhile, the Club Gymnastics team proudly participated in the NAIGC National Championships held from April 2-6 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The competition was fierce, with only the top 20 athletes in each category advancing to the finals, and only three medals awarded per event.
Despite facing intense competition from between 200 and 400 athletes in each category, the Club Gymnastics athletes excelled, with many reaching the event finals and several securing medals.
**Medalist Highlights:**
- Charlotte Marsh & Lianne Huber: 2nd place in New Flyers Synchronized Trampoline
- Lianne Huber: 1st place in Developmental Men's Floor and 3rd place in Developmental Men's Vault
- Mira Stenger: 1st place in Xcel Silver Uneven Bars and 2nd place in Xcel Silver All-Around
- Thomas Allen: 3rd place in Xcel Silver Women’s Floor, 3rd place in Xcel Silver Women’s Balance Beam, and 3rd place in Xcel Silver Women’s Vault
**Finalists Roster:**
In addition to the medalists, several athletes made it to the finals in their respective events:
- Ashley Carroll: Level 9 Women’s Floor
- Blythe Friedlander: Level 9 Women’s Balance Beam
- Lois Legowik: Xcel Platinum Women’s Uneven Bars
Overall, our gymnasts' achievements at this year’s NAIGC National Championships speak volumes about their dedication, talent, and hard work. Club Gymnastics eagerly anticipates continuing this momentum in future competitions!