Brockport, NY - The SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles gymnastics team heads into the 2026 season with high expectations following a memorable 2025 campaign. With a deep and experienced roster returning, another challenging schedule ahead, and one of the most respected coaching staffs in collegiate gymnastics, Brockport enters the new year poised to continue its streak of excellence.

2025 Recap — Regional Champions & National Success
 
The Golden Eagles closed out the 2025 season with their fifth straight NCGA East Regional Championship at home in the Jim & John Vlogianitis Gymnasium, finishing with a team score of 192.525, narrowly outpacing Cortland and Ithaca for the regional crown. Brockport's regional crown earned them an automatic qualification into the 2025 NCGA National Championships, finishing sixth overall with a final score of 190.900.
 
Standout performances at nationals included:
Lienna Kay — Co-National Champion on Balance Beam (9.850) and All-American honors.
Kiara Hockman — Runner-up on Vault (9.825) and All-American recognition.
Emma Brookins — Team-high 9.800 on Floor.
Charlotte Raymond — Led the team with a 9.550 on Uneven Bars.
Multiple contributors across events including Shannon Gibbs, Jamarie Saravia, and Julia Klucinec.

Brockport finished the year ranked third nationally with a 192.8438 team season average score (SAS). The Golden Eagles ranked in the top five nationally on all four apparatus and finished the year as the top ranked floor exercise team in the nation with a team SAS of 48.8500. 
 
Top Returners & Roster Breakdown
 
The 2026 roster blends seasoned veterans and impactful young talent, providing depth across every event. Below are the key contributors returning from the 2025 squad:
 
Experienced leaders include senior's Cali Czarcinski (Balance Beam & Floor) and Gracie Weaver (Vault, Beam, Floor) as well as juniors Kiara Hockman (Vault, Balance Beam, Floor), Lienna Kay (All-Around), Julia Klucinec (Bars & Beam) and Eliana Wannall (Bars).

Cali Czarcinski (Sr.) — Balance Beam & Floor
A powerful competitor who consistently contributes big event scores and brings leadership to the beam and floor lineups.
 
Gracie Weaver (Sr.) — Vault, Beam, Floor
A dynamic presence in the lineup, Weaver's experience and versatility will be key for team rotation strength.
 
Kiara Hockman (Jr.) — Vault, Balance Beam, Floor
A premier vaulter and event threat, Hockman capped 2025 with All-American honors and continues to be a go-to scorer across multiple events.
 
Lienna Kay (Jr.) — All-Around
The team's balance beam ace and 2025 NCGA Co-National Champion on that event, Kay anchors the all-around and provides scoring stability.
 
Brockport also returns a strong sophomore class that looks to take the next step this season: Emma Brookins (All-Around), Shannon Gibbs (All-Around), Kayla Gleason (All-Around), Emma Langdon (Vault & Floor), Charlotte Raymond (All-Around), Jamarie Saravia (All-Around), Amelia York (Beam, Floor), Alexis Schulman (All-Around)and Olivia Melo (Beam),

Emma Brookins (So.) — All-Around
A breakout performer in 2025, Brookins delivered top event scores like a 9.800 on floor at nationals and figures to be a cornerstone in the all-around.
 
Brockport welcomes several freshman to round out its 2026 roster including:
 
Freshmen Camille DeRienzo, Mila Halpin, Brianna Hawthorne, McKenna Hoffman, Emily Kukura, Estelle LeBoeuf, Jordyn Murray, Calissa Nisson, Maria Pell, Celina Satter and Alyssa Strain — are all expected to contribute in depth rotations.
 
This roster balance allows Brockport to build around elite veterans while integrating promising newcomers.
 
2026 Schedule Preview
 
Brockport's 2026 gymnastics schedule features non-conference clashes and classic NCGA rivalry meets. As released on gobrockport.com, early highlights include:
 
Rutgers January Meet – Jan. 4 — A key early season test with a regional opponent.
 
Home Competitions – Multiple meets at Brockport's Tuttle North Gymnastics facility, where the Golden Eagles traditionally perform well before strong home crowds.
 
NCGA East Regional Championship – Hosted at Brockport — A return to the regional crown is a priority.
 
NCGA National Championship — March — Brockport will aim to improve on their 2025 top-10 national finish.
 
The schedule layout offers opportunities for team growth, routine refinement, and national scoreboard impact as the season progresses.
 
Coaching Staff & Program Legacy
 
At the helm is Head Coach Dr. René Lyst, a leader with deep collegiate coaching experience who has guided Brockport gymnastics through sustained success. Under her guidance, the program has maintained elite regional standing and produced multiple All-Americans and national title winners.
 
Assisting Lyst is Assistant Coach Maya Pecoraro and Student Assistant Izzy Canda, a coaching team known for individualized athlete development and technical excellence across all four events.
 
Coach Lyst embodies a winning culture that balances competitive performance with academic success, continuing Brockport's tradition of excellence in NCAA Division III gymnastics.
SUNY Brockport Athletics

Catch the Action at Rutgers

Live video and live results will be made available for Sunday's Tri-Meet against both Rutgers and Temple University. Check the following links to keep up with the Golden Eagles as they open the season on the road: Live Video | Live Results

Looking Ahead

Following the season opening trip to Rutgers this weekend, the Golden Eagles gymnastics program will return home for the first home meet of the season on Saturday, January 2nd. Brockport welcomes Ithaca College to the Tuttle North Gymnastics Center for a 2pm start to this dual meet.