The Meet: 2026 EAGL Championship
Towson at LIU, vs. George Washington, New Hampshire, Temple
When: Saturday, Mar. 21 – 5 p.m.
Where: Pratt Recreation Center – Brookville, N.Y.
Online Broadcast: NEC Front Row
 
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The Towson University gymnastics team is looking for a league title on Saturday, March 21 in Brookline, New York, competing in the 2026 EAGL Championship at 5 p.m., hosted by LIU.
 
The meet will be broadcast on NEC Front Row here: http://necfrontrow.com/game/14665
 
Each competition is a quad meet.  Towson hosts GW, Maryland and Penn on Friday then takes on GW, Maryland and Temple on Sunday.  Sunday's meet vs. GW is the final EAGL regular season competition.
 
All five EAGL teams will land at the Pratt Recreation Center, with the winner taking the league title.  Towson enters the EAGL Championship as the second-place team, having a 3-1 record in EAGL meets.  New Hampshire won the regular season title at 4-0.  Towson finished ahead of 2-2 Temple, 1-3 LIU and 0-4 George Washington.  George Washington won the 2025 EAGL Championship in Philadelphia.
 
Towson had two quad meets last weekend, recording team scores of 195.900 and 194.950.
 
Going into the EAGL Tournament, Towson has the top National Qualifying Score (NQS) among the conference teams at 195.189, being at #42 in the Road to Nationals rankings.  UNH is at #46 at 194.864, Temple is next at #53 at 193.765 followed by #54 LIU at 193.575 and #55 George Washington at 193.442.
 
Towson is looking for its third EAGL Championship title in four years, earning the league tournament wins in 2023 and 2024.
 
TWO-TIME DEFENDING EAGL REGULAR SEASON CHAMPION….
Towson returns in 2026 as the two-time defending East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) regular season champion, having swept all EAGL regular season meets over the past two seasons for an 8-0 league record.
 
Towson won the EAGL Tournaments in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first league repeat champion since North Carolina in 2010-11.  Towson finished fourth in the 2025 EAGL Tournament in Philadelphia.
 
FOUR-TIME NCAA TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANT FROM 2021-24
Towson earned a spot in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 2021-24 as part of the top-36 teams in the national qualifier scores (NQS) each year.
2021 – NCAA Morgantown Regional Second Round
2022 – NCAA Raleigh Regional First Round
2023 – NCAA Pittsburgh Regional First Round
2024 – NCAA Gainesville Regional Second Round
 
Despite the team missing the NCAA Tournament in 2025, Isabella Minervini and Clara Hong qualified as NCAA Tournament competitors in the all-around and beam respectively.
 
12 TOWSON GYMNASTS RECOGNIZED IN 2026 EAGL ALL-LEAGUE AWARDS
Towson dominated the 2026 EAGL All-League awards, with 12 Tigers being recognized with selections.  In all, 12 Towson gymnasts earned a total of 23 All-EAGL selections for 2026.  Six Towson gymnasts earned multiple all-league honors.
 
The All-EAGL honors are based on the NQS of the athletes on all events.  The top-eight gymnasts in each event earned First Team All-EAGL while the second eight in each event were placed on Second Team All-EAGL.
 
Gymnast (in order of last name), Award (NQS)
 
Polina Belanovski
--First Team All-Around (38.775), Vault (9.835) | Second Team Bars (9.755), Floor (9.825)
Belanovski adds four All-EAGL honors to her previous four, now being a three-time First Team All-EAGL vault honoree.  The senior earns her first all-around honor in her first year competing in all four events and has the top NQS in vault among EAGL gymnasts.
 
Carmella Calafati
--First Team Floor (9.865)
Calafati earns her third All-EAGL selection on floor, including her second time on first team in the last two seasons.  Standing tied for third in EAGL on floor with a 9.865 NQS, the senior earned at least a 9.8 on floor in her last 10 meets.
 
Isabella DeCroo
--First Team Vault (9.810), Floor (9.850)
DeCroo repeats as an All-EAGL vault and floor honoree, also being first team on vault last season.  The graduate student and two-time EAGL Specialist of the Week had nine podium finishes and combined for 17 routines of at least a 9.8 out of 25 performed, tying for fifth in the league on vault.
 
Hayden Gough
--Second Team Bars (9.770)
Gough is an all-conference honoree in her first year with the program, also earning All-WIAC last year at Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Competing on bars in 12 meets for Towson, the junior turned in 10 performances of 9.7 or better, twice being on the podium.
 
Lauren Greene
--First Team Bars (9.810)
Greene earns her third consecutive All-EAGL First Team selection on the uneven bars.  Having amassed over 500 career points exclusively on bars, the senior earned at least a 9.7 on bars 10 times this year.
 
Adriana Hoffman
--First Team Vault (9.825), Floor (9.865)
Hoffman is now a five-time All-EAGL honoree, picking up her first-ever first team selections.  Ranking in the top-three of NQS among EAGL athletes in both events she competed in, the two-time EAGL Specialist of the Week had 9.8+ scores 16 times this year, eight times notching podium finishes.
 
Jocelyn Lannon
--First Team Vault (9.830)
Lannon earns First Team All-EAGL in her first year in collegiate gymnastics.  The only freshman to rank in the top-3 in an event among EAGL gymnastics, the three-time EAGL Rookie Specialist of the Week earned at least a 9.7 on vault in all 13 meets, winning the event three times.
 
Natalie Lindgren
--Second Team Beam (9.755), Floor (9.830)
Lindgren's first year in collegiate gymnastics sees her notch a pair of all-conference selections.  The first Towson freshman to compete in an all-around since 2022, Lindgren had four podium finishes and three EAGL Rookie of the Week honors.
 
Isabella Minervini
--First Team All-Around (39.290), Vault (9.800), Bars (9.925), Beam (9.825), Floor (9.885)
Minervini adds her five All-EAGL selections to eight over her career, earning her second all-around and vault first team selection and earning her fourth First Team All-EAGL bars honor.  Earning 9.9+ scores on bars, beam and floor this year, the senior was a nine-time winner of the all-around in 12 meets competing in all four events.
 
Brissa Portillo
--First Team Beam (9.775) | Second Team Bars (9.745)
Portillo earns her first-ever All-EAGL selections this season in her two events of beam and bars.  The junior notched four podium finishes this season and had seven combined performances with at least a 9.8+ score.
 
Piper Slocum
--First Team Bars (9.790)
In her first year competing with the team, Slocum notches a first team selection on the bars.  Continuing to improve down the stretch, the sophomore earned four 9.8+ scores in the last five meets of the regular season.
 
Celia Trotter
--First Team Beam (9.825)
Trotter earns First Team All-EAGL on beam for the second year running.  A one-time EAGL Specialist of the Week, the senior had four podium finishes and turned in six 9.8+ beam performances, including a 9.900 in January.
 
MINERVINI NOMINATED FOR 2026 AAI AWARD
Isabella Minervini has been nominated for the 2026 AAI Award, given to the top female gymnast in the country.  She is one of 45 nominees across the country.
 
The 2024 WCGA First Team All-American is a 13-time All-EAGL selection, including a four-time first team honoree on bars.  In 2025, she was the EAGL all-around and bars champion.
 
MINERVINI - #14 NATIONALLY ON BARS
Isabella Minervini continues her impressive performance on the uneven bars, currently ranking 14th overall in the Road to Nationals rankings with a 9.925 national qualifying score (NQS).  She has twice earned a 9.950 this season, tying for third in Towson history.
 
She also ranks 30th nationally in the all-around with a 39.290 NQS.
 
BRINGING BACK SEVEN 2025 ALL-EAGL HONOREES
Seven returners to Towson's roster earned a combined 15 All-EAGL selections last season. The returners are headlined by Isabella Minervini, who was a 2025 All-EAGL honoree in all four rotations and all-around, being First Team on all-around, bars and vault, and Ava Harper, the 2025 EAGL Rookie Specialist of the Year and First Team All-EAGL on vault.  Polina Belanovski was  a three-time All-EAGL recipient last year, First Team on vault and Second Team on bars and floor.
 
In addition to the above trio, Isabella DeCroo, Lauren Greene, Adriana Hoffman and Celia Trotter all were All-EAGL in 2025.
 
TOWSON PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN EAGL IN 2026
Towson, the two-time reigning EAGL regular season champion, was predicted to finish second in the league in the EAGL preseason coaches poll.  Towson is coming off a perfect 4-0 EAGL campaign last year.  Reigning EAGL Championship winner George Washington is predicting to finish first.
2026 EAGL Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. George Washington (2), 22
2. Towson (1), 18
3. New Hampshire (1), 14
4. Temple (1), 13
5. LIU, 8
 
THE FANTASTIC FLOOR
On March 1, Towson earned its second-highest team score on floor exercise ever, finishing with a 49.450.  The routines were spearheaded by three 9.900 performances by Carmella Calafati, Isabella DeCroo and Isabella Minervini.
 
As a team, Towson ranks 28th nationally on floor with a 49.132 national qualifying score, earning at least a 49+ score in 11 meets this season in that event.
 
NEARING PERFECTION
Among Towson's returners include several athletes who have notched a 9.9+ score on a rotation.
Highest Scores (Date)
Polina Belanovski – Vault (9.925, 2/26/23), Floor (9.900, 1/9/26)
Carmella Calafati – Floor (9.950, 2/23/24)
Isabella DeCroo - Vault (9.925, 3/4/25), Floor (9.900, 3/1/26)
Adriana Hoffman - Floor (9.900, 2/21/25)
Isabella Minervini – Bars (9.975, 2/16/24), Beam (9.900, 1/23/26), Floor (9.900, 2/1/23)
Brissa Portillo – Bars (9.900, 2/16/24)
Celia Trotter - Beam (9.900, 1/23/26)
 
1,000-POINT CLUB
Several Tigers are approaching the career 1,000-point mark.  Polina Belanovski surpassed the 1,000-point mark in Towson's final home meet on March 13.
Career Points
Isabella Minervini (Sr.): 1,589.675
Polina Belanovski (Sr.): 1048.700
Isabella DeCroo (Gr.): 880.350
---Illinois State (2022-24): 392.100
---Towson (2025-26): 488.250
Adriana Hoffman (Sr.): 732.025
 
TOWSON VS. GEORGE WASHINGTON BY THE NUMBERS (since 2009)
--Series Record: 18-30                       Last Meeting: Mar. 15, 2026 - Washington, D.C.
--Home Record: 12-8                         Towson 194.950
--Away Record: 3-14                          GW 194.050
--Neutral Record: 3-8
 
TOWSON VS. LIU BY THE NUMBERS (since 2021)
--Series Record: 11-0-1                     Last Meeting: Feb. 7, 2026 - Towson, Md.
--Home Record: 5-0                           Towson 194.725
--Away Record: 4-0-1                         LIU 193.475
--Neutral Record: 2-0
 
TOWSON VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE BY THE NUMBERS (since 2009)
--Series Record: 10-15                       Last Meeting: Feb. 1, 2026 - Durham, N.H.
--Home Record: 3-5                           Towson 194.925
--Away Record: 2-6                            New Hampshire 195.700
--Neutral Record: 5-4
 
TOWSON VS. TEMPLE BY THE NUMBERS (since 2013)
--Series Record: 18-8                         Last Meeting: Mar. 15, 2026 - Washington, D.C.
--Home Record: 8-3                            Towson 194.950
--Away Record: 5-2                            Temple 194.675
--Neutral Record: 5-3
 
TWO TOWSON ATHLETES EARN EAGL WEEKLY AWARDS
Towson's strong performance last week resulted in two EAGL weekly awards.
--Isabella Minervini: EAGL Gymnast of the Week
--Adriana Hoffman: EAGL Specialist of the Week
 
TOP-10 PERFORMANCES IN HISTORY
Towson's gymnasts earned scores in 2026 that currently stand in the top-10 all-time in program history.
Polina Belanovski
--Floor: 9.900, t-9th all-time (Jan. 9, 2026)
Carmella Calafati
--Floor: 9.900, t-9th all-time (Mar. 1, 2026)
Isabella DeCroo
--Floor: 9.900, t-9th all-time (Mar. 1, 2026)
Isabella Minervini
--All-Around: 39.450, 4th all-time (Jan. 23, 2026)
--Bars: 9.950, t-3rd all-time (Feb. 15, 2026)
--Beam: 9.900, t-10th all-time (Jan. 23, 2026)
--Floor: 9.900, t-9th all-time (Feb. 13, 2026)
Celia Trotter
--Beam: 9.900, t-10th all-time (Jan. 23, 2026)
 
AN ALL-AROUND COMPETITOR EMERGES
Isabella Minervini served as Towson's all-around competitor in 10 meets in 2025, earning six first place and two second place finishes.   This includes a 39.425 score to be the EAGL all-around champion, 4th all-time in Towson history. Before Minervini, Towson's last all-around competitor was in 2022.  This year, she finished first in the all-around nine times.
 
Polina Belanovski also is an all-around competitor this season, earning her first all-around victory with a 39.225 in the final home meet on March 13.
 
WILLACY ENTERS TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Decelia Willacy '08 was inducted into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.  At time of induction, she was third on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,865 points.  The 2008 ECAC Gymnast of the Year was an All-ECAC honoree in all events, including all-around, and helped the Tigers win the 2007 USA Gymnastics National Championship and four ECAC titles.  Willacy is the 19th gymnast to be inducted into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
STUDENT-ATHLETES
Towson is having a strong year in the classroom, with 17 out of 18 student-athletes having earned a place on the 2026 All-EAGL Scholastic Team.  To be honored on the All-EAGL Scholastic Team, a student-athlete must have kept a 3.0 or better GPA throughout the 2025 calendar year.
 
DAN O'CONNELL (1953-2026)
Dan O'Connell, who worked in the Towson media relations office for 35 years from 1979-2014, passed away in January 2026.  He was the longtime SID for Towson gymnastics among other sports at Towson plus worked with statistics in the NFL, CFL, MLB and several colleges in the area.  He was a Towson Athletics Hall of Fame inductee in 2021.