SPRINGFIELD, Mass., February 9, 2006 - Springfield College freshman Penelope Bohunko (Wilkes Barre, Pa.) has been named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Women’s Gymnastics Freshman of the Week, in a report announced by the conference office for the week of February 6.

Bohunko, who resides in Wilkes Barre, Pa., has proven herself a serious contender on the vault in just her first year, tying for first place with teammate Jill Silverman (Ipswich, Mass.) in a meet at top-ranked (Division III) Ithaca College last Sunday afternoon (Feb. 5).

Bohunko set a season-high record for the team with a personal-best score of 9.625 on her front handspring, front somersault vault. The freshman performed extremely well in a pressure-packed road meet in Ithaca, N.Y., helping the Pride compete extremely well against the Bombers, losing by just .425 points (182.225-181.775). As just a freshman, Bohunko is ranked 12th individually in Division III on the vault with a 9.325 average.

SC, which is now ranked second in Division III according to the latest GymInfo poll, is currently 3-3 overall on the 2006 season as the Pride next hosts Brown University in a dual-meet on Sunday afternoon, February 12, in a 1:00 p.m. start in Blake Arena.

published: 02/09/2006