March 27, 1998
PROVIDENCE, R.I.— A record-setting performance at the NCGA Championships gave the Bombers their first national championship. Ithaca, who edged defending national champion Wisconsin-La Crosse by two-tenths of a point, had placed second at the national meet twice previously (including the preceding year).
Ithaca’s combined score of 148.875 was the best ever recorded at the NCGA meet. The Bombers won only one of four events (the uneven bars), but placed second in each of the other three (vault, balance beam, and floor exercise).
Leading the way was sophomore Lindsey Mazer and senior Jen Nardone. The two, who took turns atop the NCGA all-around rankings all season, placed first and third, respectively in the all-around competition. Mazer’s 38.225 score set a school and NCGA championship record. Nardone posted a mark of 37.175.
The team’s depth was a factor: during Friday’s team competition, 12 Bombers qualified for the individual event finals, held the next day. Ithaca’s success continued on Saturday, as 11 athletes posted All-America finishes (by placing in the top six). The showing was again highlighted by Mazer. She won her second championship of the meet, recording a score of 19.150 on the vault.
Mazer also placed second in the balance beam and uneven bars. Nardone took third in the balance beam and sixth in the vault. Seniors Kathy Kowalski and Becky Davis placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the balance beam (Ithaca occupied four of the top six spots). Rounding out Ithaca’s All-Americans was senior Alison McClung, who finished sixth in the uneven bars.
Team Standings
| Place |
School |
Points |
| 1. |
Ithaca |
148.875 |
| 2. |
Wisconsin-La Crosse |
148.675 |
| 3. |
Hamline |
146.575 |
| 4. |
Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
145.600 |
| 5. |
Springfield |
144.625 |
| 6. |
Gustavus Adolphus |
144.600 |
| 7. |
Cortland |
142.425 |
| 8. |
Rhode Island College |
142.025 |
