Photo submitted by Angelina Merulla

Angelina Merulla, a sophomore on the gymnastics team, has been a key piece in supporting the new team on Utica’s campus. Through her positive attitude and dedication, she acts as a role model to younger athletes. 

Merulla, of Liverpool, competed on the floor last season and continued to score consistently while helping the new team reach their goal of making regional championships. On the other three events, Merulla acts as a huge support system for the rest of the team, helping them stay calm throughout the competition. As a competitor she accommodates the rest of the team before she thinks of herself after her key event is over. 

Merulla came to Utica because head coach Danielle Cerminaro reached out in her senior year of high school. The psychology program at Utica interested Merulla. She would like to be a school psychologist after graduating and wants to help high school students feel more comfortable with talking about their feelings and taking the initial step of seeking help.  

“I came to Utica because of the inaugural gymnastics program and exceeded the expectations of our coaches,” Merulla said. “It was a successful season for a first year team.”

Merulla sees herself advancing in this upcoming season by improving her floor score and getting a few new tumbling passes that will better herself as a whole. The new perspective she gathered over the summer months improved her work ethic in class and at practice. She worked at Wegmans from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the summer almost everyday to pay off her tuition for the upcoming semesters. She would train three hours a day four times a week to maintain her gymnastics skills as well as lift included. 

“Angelina continues to provide us with the unwavering support as a cheerleader as well as an athlete,” said team captain Jenna DiPalo, a fifth year student on the gymnastics team. 

 DiPalo spent the last four years at Springfield College performing gymnastics. She heard from a teammate that Utica had a great and growing program that she was excited to join in the fall. 

She is a nursing student and juggles being on the team with hours of work each day. Her positive attitude and experience carries the team. Dipalo plans on staying in Utica to complete the rest of her degree for the 2025-2026 school year. As her career comes to an end she would like to end on a positive note after recovering from an ankle injury that occurred earlier over the summer. 

Both athletes hope to help the team win their first meet against SUNY Cortland on Jan. 12, The team hopes to have a strong season after recruiting new prospects. With it being the second year of the program they continue to grow and possibly make it to the national championships this season as a whole. 

“I wanna make the little girl who first started the sport proud. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with my closest friends,” Merulla said. 

The gymnastics season starts in January and ends in late April. Pre-season starts in August for gymnastics as soon as the athletes start classes. Athletes make up 72% of the students that go to Utica University. They juggle classes, homework, as well as everything they dedicate to their team. It can be a grueling schedule at times that a lot of people don’t take into account. 

“People don’t realize how many hours are put into practice and competitions,” sophomore Grace Marra said. “It’s hard work.”