Dec. 5, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, MD --- The University of Maryland women's gymnastics team will hold an intrasquad red vs. white exhibition show for fans on Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. The event will be take place at the team's new facility, the small gym of the Comcast Center.
The team returns strong with nine veterans and six newcomers. Leading the team are co-captains, senior Stacey Celenski (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and junior Katherine Schroeder (Carrollton, Texas). Celenski brings her experience on the beam and Schroeder will compete in the all-around spot. Joining the duo are three other upperclassmen returners, senior Catherine Gardner (Chelmsford, Mass.), and juniors Rachel Sibert (Round Rock, Texas) and Sarah Hoenig (Seaford, N.Y.). Sibert will join the Terps in 2003 competition, after sidelining last season with a shoulder injury. Hoenig, a 2002 NCAA Regional Participant, returns as one of the nation's top competitors on the beam.
Additionally, Terps are bringing back sophomore Leah Brill (Lancaster, Pa.), the 2002 East Atlantic Gymnastics League Rookie of the Year, along with second-year athletes, Ashley Oberdorff (York, Pa.), Mandy Pascual (Aiea, Hawaii) and Lequita Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.).
The loss of NCAA All-American Gillian Cote (Fredericksburg, Va.), Kit Johnson (Virginia Beach, Va.), Chrissy Samwell (Gaithersburg, Md.), Alyssa Mealey (Bensalem, Pa.) and Lisa Mealey (Bensalem, Pa.) to graduation will be great one for the Terps. However, the coaching staff looks to fill the void with what they call, "the best recruiting class ever" for the Maryland gymnastics program.
The newcomers are freshmen Rachel Martinez (North Massapequa, N.Y.), Ginny Scott (Ashland, Va.), Cameron Logan (Tampa, Fla.), Alexandria Gatch (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Kristi Skowronski (Fairfield, N.J.) and Rebecca Ruppert (Woodbridge, Va.).
The 2003 squad will be guided by head coach Bob Nelligan who enters his 25th season as Maryland's gymnastics coach. Assistant coach Wendy Marshall is returning for her fifth year, bringing her knowledge and passion for the sport.
Admission to all Maryland home meets are free.
