April 11, 2009

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - In her last competition representing Yale, Alina Liao had a wonderful afternoon, winning the bars event finals scoring a 9.75. She was also awarded the title of Outstanding Senior Gymnast of the USA Intercollegiate National Championships. This came two days after she won the all-around competition and qualified to the finals in three events.

Liao also competed on beam and floor, her two strongest events. A tiny bobble on beam dropped her to ninth place with a 9.675. On floor she had a phenomenal routine, earning third place with a 9.8, only half of a tenth out of first place.

In addition to being a national champion on bars and in the all-around, Liao received All-American status on bars, beam, floor, and the all-around.

This year, Liao has won three large competitions - the Ivy Classic, ECAC Championships, and now the Collegiate National Championships.

"She is really something special," said head coach Barbara Tonry. "Not only did she carry the team on her back, she won meets while doing it."

Report filed by Cathy Jan '09, Yale Sports Publicity