A record-setting performance at the NCGA Championships gave the Bombers their first national championship under Hall of Fame coachÂ
Rick Suddaby. Ithaca, which 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, under the four scores per event rules. 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 (2014 IC Hall of Fame inductee). The two, who took turns atop the NCGA all-around rankings all season, placed first and third, respectively, in the all-around competition, earning All-America honors. 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 the first day of team competition, six Bombers qualified for 12 spots in the individual event finals, held the next day. Ithaca's success continued on the final day, as five athletes posted eight All-America finishes (by placing in the top six). Mazer won her second championship of the meet by winning the vault with a two-day total of 19.150.
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.
With five Academic All-Americans, Ithaca finished the season with 15 All-America honors.
The 1998 Bombers also won the ECACÂ Championships and went 16-4 during the regular season, which remains a school record for victories.
Â
