March 28, 2003

DURHAM, N.H.-- The University of Maryland gymnasts brought home numerous awards from the 2003 EAGL (East Atlantic Gymnastics League) Championship Banquet. At least one Terp made it onto the All-Conference team in each event, while a total of nine achieved academic honors.

Freshman Rachel Martinez made the 2nd Team All-Conference for the vault. The all-arounder hit four 9.90s on the duration of the season and posted a career best, 9.925 at the EAGL Championship meet for third place, Saturday. On the uneven bars, sophomore Mandy Pascual was honored onto the 1st Team All-Conference. In 2003, Pasual scored a school record, 9.925 at two meets. Martinez made the 2nd Team All-Conference on the bars as well.

In addition to Martinez, Alexandria Gatch, another freshman, received conference honors too. Gatch earned a spot onto the 2nd Team All-Conference for the beam. Junior Sarah Hoenig, a 2002 NCAA Regional Participant, was named to 1st Team All-Conference on the beam. Hoenig boasts a new career high, a 9.925, a mark she set in 2003. At the EAGL Championship meet Saturday, Hoenig tied for first place on the beam with the same score.

Martinez also earned 1st team All-Conference honors for both the floor and all-around competition. The freshman standout won the EAGL Championship with an all-around score of 39.625. Martinez has already posted that mark at the Mar. 15 meet; the score is also the school record.

Nine gymnasts made the EAGL All-Academic team and were presented certificates by head coach, Bob Nelligan. Juniors Rachel Sibert and co-captain Katherine Schroeder made the team for a third straight year, while it was the second time for sophomore Leah Brill. First-time honorees were senior Stacey Celenski, Hoenig, Pascual and freshmen Ginny Scott, Rebecca Ruppert and Logan.