Brown Gymnastics Takes Fourth in Team Final at USAG Nationals

Saturday, April 9

Ithaca, N.Y.

7:00 pm

Brown University

USAG Collegiate Nationals - Finals

Photo by: Stew Milne

Brown Gymnastics Takes Fourth in Team Final at USAG Nationals

4/9/2022 11:03:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

Complete Results

ITHACA. N.Y. – The Brown gymnastics team wrapped up its team competition for the 2022 season, taking fourth place at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships on Saturday night. Senior Mei Li Costa took home an individual win with a strong score of 9.900 on bars.

The Bears were the only school out of the four finalists to qualify for the team finals that did not compete in 2021 due to the pandemic. This year's squad joins the 2013 and 2016 teams as the only three in program history to reach the team finals at USAG Nationals.

"I couldn't be prouder of this team," said head coach Sara Carver-Milne. "We've come further than any team I've ever coached at Brown. We're the only team in the finals that didn't compete last year and we came onto the scene and had the highest score of any team in the prelims. It was the highlight of an absolutely incredible season."

Texas Woman's University took home the national championship title with a score of 196.025, followed by the Air Force Academy with 195.650, and Lindenwood in third with 194.600.

"Everyone was emotional and extremely happy with the entire season, but most importantly, with making it to nationals as a team and performing the way that we did," Carver-Milne said.

Brown started the evening off on beam, where Taylor Schulze tied for second overall at 9.825. Abby Contello followed with a career-high score of 9.750.

Next up on floor, Julia Bedell tied for sixth overall with her score of 9.850 to lead the Bears with Carolanne Van Zandt next up at 9.750.

On vault, Brown posted a team score of 48.775, led by Costa who tied for fifth place overall, and tying her season-high at 9.825. Julia Bedell followed next at 9.800, Alyssa Gardner scored 9.775, and Ella Poley scored a 9.700.

Closing out the event on bars, Brown posted its highest score of the night at 48.825, led by Costa winning the event with a strong 9.900 performance. Schulze tied for third overall, and tied her career-high with a 9.850. Poley followed next for Brown at 9.825, while Contello scored 9.700.

"I have to give a special shoutout to our seniors," Carver-Milne said. "It was pretty emotional tonight since we knew for most of them tonight was going to be their last meet. We couldn't have gotten where we did without them. They're leaving a lasting legacy."

To close out the 2022 season, Brown will now turn its attention to the four individuals who have qualified for the individual finals. Costa (bars), Bedell (floor), Xing (beam) and Schulze (beam) will all compete for individual national championships in their respective events on Sunday afternoon, starting at 1 p.m. on FlipNow.org.

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