April 1, 1998

College Park, Md. -- After compiling a record of 22-12, the Maryland women's gymnastics team will compete in just its second Southeast Regional Championships as a team since 1991. Maryland qualified for the Regional Championships by defeating Towson University at the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championships, 192.675 - 192.450. Prior to the meet, the Terps were in the eighth spot in the Southeast Region, trailing Towson, who was seventh, by .056. Only the top seven teams qualify, so with the Terp's win over the Tigers, they more than made up the deficit and clinched the seventh and final spot. Also competing in the Southeast Regional Championships will be No. 1 Georgia, which finished first in the Southeast Region; No. 4 Florida; No. 6 West Virginia and No. 20 N.C. State, both EAGL rivals; No. 25 Kentucky and George Washington.

This season, the Terps have competed against four Southeast Region teams on seven separate occasions. They took on Florida on Jan. 30, but lost to the Gators despite posting a then season-high score of 191.350. Maryland competed against West Virginia on Feb. 14 and lost to the then No. 10 Mountaineers, 194.975 - 190.725. The Terps have met N.C. State twice, losing both times, the most recent at the Bubble Invitational at N.C. State where Maryland finished second out of five teams with a 192.075. Maryland has faced off against George Washington three times this year and has defeated it twice. The most recent meeting came on March 11 in the Terp's last meet of the regular season. Maryland posted a season-high team score to defeat the Colonials, 193.475 - 193.200.

The last time Maryland went to the Southeast Regionals as a team was in 1996. The meet, held in Gainesville, Fl., saw the Terps finish in seventh place with a score of 189.900. Georgia took first place (196.950), Florida second (195.375), Kentucky third (193.925), Towson fourth (192.650), West Virginia fifth (191.875) and N.C. State sixth (191.875).

Maryland has competed in eight Southeast Regional Championships since 1984 and has amassed a record of 11-34. Its highest score came in 1996 when the Terps recorded a 189.900 and its best placing came in 1989 when the Terps finished in third place with a score of 186.150, finishing behind Georgia and Florida.

The Southeast Region Championships, hosted by the University of Georgia, will be on Saturday, April 4 at 6 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum.