ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College gymnastics team opened its 2013 season with a 179.450-177.825 loss to Brockport on Saturday afternoon at Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers began the year with this dual meet against the defending co-national champions and Ithaca gymnasts placed first on two events during the meet.

The Bombers posted the top three scores among all individuals on the uneven bars, led by Rani Jacobson's event-winning score of 9.275. It was a career-best score at the college level for Jacobson, and her first victory in a meet in that event. She was followed by Christine Niles in second with a score of 9.2 and Shilanna Gallo in third with 8.9.

Valerie Cohen tied for first on vault with a career-best vault score of 9.475 and her first event win, tied with a returning All-American from Brockport in that event. Cohen was also Ithaca's top scorer on floor exercise, as she placed second overall with a score of 9.35.

Tiffany Grube led Ithaca with a score of 9.050 on balance beam, placing fourth in that event. Ithaca's team scores on bars and floor were ahead of Brockport, but the visiting Golden Eagles outscored Ithaca on beam and vault.

Ithaca returns to action next Sunday in Connecticut with a tri-meet at Yale with Southern Connecticut.

Complete Meet Results (.pdf)