Former 'Kaleidoscope' gymnast Pruchnik wins school's Athlete of the Week, to compete in Nationals

Mar 23, 2015

Former Kaleidoscope of Dance and Gymnastics gymnast Nicole Pruchnik has been named Southern Connecticut State University’s Co-Athlete of the Week after helping the Owls set a new team score record of 191.875 points at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday.

Pruchnik, a junior, received the same award earlier this year, and will compete at USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals at the University of Pennsylvania for the third time beginning on April 9 in the beam, floor exercise, and vault.

The Rochester native matched the school’s record with a score of 9.9 on the floor exercise, which she also tied last year. She was the runner up in the event, and she also finished third on the beam with a score of 9.75.

Led by Pruchnik’s efforts, the Owls came in second place to the University of Bridgeport, who won the title with a score of 195.225.

“This season has been a lot of fun and I am so privileged to be able to do gymnastics with the girls I get to do it with,” said Pruchnik. “Winning athlete of the week is a huge honor and I can't thank Southern (Connecticut State) enough for thinking I am good enough to get the honor.”

The former Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year’s gymnastics career started as a four-year-old at Kaleidoscope in Wareham, where she still works out in the offseason and volunteers helping younger gymnasts.