WASHINGTON, D.C. – LIU gymnastics traveled to the nation's capital to take part in the East Atlantic League Championships on Saturday afternoon at George Washington University, finishing seventh with a team score of 193.950. Multiple Sharks were honored with awards, including sophomore Mara Titarsolej who received EAGL Specialist of the Year.

"The day started out a little rough after two falls on balance beam, but after the event I pulled the team together and said that it is the character of the team that will be decided today as we finish the last three events, " said head coach Randy Lane. "How do you want to be remembered? And we went out and did an overall great job as a team on the last three events. I was very proud of them. "
 
SHARK BITES

• On beam, the Sharks were led by Cael Bixler, who kicked things off with a 9.800. Ella Castellanos and second team all-EAGL selection Ilka Juk also both scored 9.775.
• The second rotation for LIU was on the floor, and Ella Barrington went first and scored a 9.800, followed by Jah'Liyah Bedminster and Amanda Loo going fifth and sixth with marks of 9.750. The Sharks earned a team score of 48.550.
• Moving to the vault, LIU got its best scores from Bedminster (9.850) and Karsyn Foster (9.825). The Sharks earned a team score of 48.800.
• On the final rotation, first team all-EAGL selection Titarsolej anchored yet again with a near-perfect mark of 9.950. Castellanos contributed a 9.750 while Bedminster and Lauren Miller each were given 9.725 for their performances.
• The results gave Titarsolej the Uneven Bars EAGL Champion honors with her 9.950 mark. With this accomplishment, Titarsolej continues to add to her star-studded resume from the 2022 season. 
• Bedminster came in a five-way tie for second place on vault, sharing the podium spot with four other gymnasts. 
• EAGL also announced its All-Tournament teams at the conclusion of the championship, and the Sharks had four honorees. Bedminster and Foster each were tabbed first-team all-tournament (vault). After winning bars, Titarsolej was placed on the first-team all-tournament (bars). Additionally, Bixler was given second-team all-tournament (beam) honors. 

 "We do not lose one athlete to graduation for next year, so we will continue to grow and only get better with the addition of a large and talented freshmen class," said Lane. 

Titarsolej has qualified for the NCAA Championships after her record-breaking season. After winning EAGL Specialst of the Year, Coach Lane was very complimentary of her efforts.

"It was a fitting ending to our day of competition to have Mara compete last and go on to eventually win LIU's first EAGL Event Championship on the Uneven Bars," said Lane. "I am amazed, impressed, and inspired by her consistency and confidence on the event. She is a true champion and leader of this team and has etched her mark in the "herstory" books for LIU Gymnastics. I am very proud of her and I look forward to seeing how far she can go in the NCAA Tournament."