Rashonda Cannie from Texas Women’s University
© Rocky Phillips

DENTON, Texas, April 16, 2010 – The host of the 2010 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships, Texas Woman’s University, earned the top qualifying score in the team semi-finals. TWU sophomore Rashonda Cannie won the all-around title. Joining TWU in the team finals on Friday, April 16 are Bridgeport University, Cornell University and Rutgers University.

TWU earned a 193.500 in the second semi-final session to advance to the team finals with top qualifying score. Cornell joined them from the second session with a 191.675. Bridgeport posted the top score from the first session with a 192.575, and Rutgers took the second spot with a 189.400. All four teams will compete tonight at 7 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena for the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National title.

With a score of 38.725, Cannie captured her second straight all-around title earning scores of 9.675 on vault, 9.775 on uneven bars, 9.600 balance beam, and 9.675 on floor exercise. William & Mary’s Teenie Beck and Lorraine Galow of Bridgeport tied for second in the all-around with a 38.700.

The USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships is for Division I, II and III schools with less than seven-and-a-half full scholarships.

The top four teams, two from each session based on the team score, advanced from the semi-finals into the team finals. The top 10 finishers on each event qualified for the individual event finals on Saturday, April 17, at 5 p.m.

TWU and the Greater Denton Sports Commission are co-hosting this event for a record fifth time. The hosting Pioneers are vying for their 10th national team title. The University of Bridgeport and Cornell University shared the 2009 national championship title with matching team scores of 191.675. William and Mary came in third with a score of 191.100. Texas Woman’s University’s Rashonda Cannie, Temple University’s Katie Canning and Yale University’s Alina Liao tied for the 2009 all-around title.

Tickets can be purchased at www.2010usagnationals.com. A three-day championship pass is $25 for adults, and $13 for students (ages 6-17) and senior citizens (ages 55+). Day passes are $10 for adults, and $6 for students and senior citizens. Children ages five and under are free. All seating in Kitty Magee Arena will be general admission only.