Terp Gymnasts Tussle With The Tar Heels

Jan. 23, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's gymnastics team rose to No. 27 in the nation with a strong performance against Denver last weekend. Hoping to continue their ascent to the top, the Terps will battle East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) foe No. 25 North Carolina, as the two conference powers will face off this Saturday, Jan. 24, in Chapel Hill, N.C. The meet will take place at Carmichael Auditorium at 5 p.m.

Meet The Opponent:

Currently sitting at No. 25, North Carolina is the third team ranked higher than Maryland that the young squad has taken on this season. Despite the tough schedule, the Terps are looking to pull an upset on Saturday and mark their first win of the year.

The Tar Heels are led by head coach Derek Galvin, in his 23rd year with the program. In 2003, UNC finished third at the NCAA southeast regionals, ending its season at 22-4.

After their first meet this season, the Tar Heels are 5-0, coming off a win at the six-team George Washington Invitational last weekend. In the win, UNC swept the top three spots on both vault and floor exercise, and its score of 194.800 was the highest ever for a season-opening meet.

Sophomore Courtney Bumpers, EAGL Gymnast of the Week for Jan. 19, leads the 2004 Tar Heels. Bumpers earned the honor after notching a perfect 10.0 on the floor exercise and winning that event, as well as the beam, vault and all-around last weekend. Helping Bumpers out are 10 other letterwinners and five newcomers.

Senior gymnasts Maddy Curley and Anna Wilson will anchor the squad with their vast competition experience and leadership. Both have been NCAA qualifiers early in their careers and will be vital to UNC's success in 2004.

Juniors Olivia Trusty and Elisabeth Alsop add depth to the squad as well. Trusty finished tied with teammate Christine Robella for second all-around at the GW Invitational with a score of 39.10.

Terp-tastic Ways:

The 2004 Terps squad has posted strong scores right out of the gates, despite its 0-3 record. In addition to a rise from No. 29 to No. 27 in the rankings, the team has used the first two meets of the season to break several records.

Against Denver, the Terps boasted their highest second-meet team total in program history with a 194.650. A week earlier at Ohio State, Maryland kicked off the season with second-best opening totals ever, a 192.825.

'Mazing Martinez

Sophomore Rachel Martinez, 2003 EAGL Champion, has already garnered an EAGL Gymnast of the Week honor for 2004. She took the all-around title at her first meet of the year, Jan. 10, versus Ohio State and Pittsburgh. She posted a 9.85 in vault, a 9.825 on bars, a 9.775 on beam and a 9.85 on floor, tying for first place on floor. This is Martinez's third Gymnast of the Week honor, after she received the award twice her freshman year.

Against the Pioneers

Junior Mandy Pascual tied for second place on the uneven bars, while sophomore Alexandria Gatch came in second place on the balance beam at the meet.

The floor was the Terps' best event on the evening, with three Maryland gymnasts notching a 9.825 or better. Led by Martinez who recorded a 9.850, senior Sarah Hoenig and sophomore Ginny Scott tied for fourth place with a 9.825. Terps' team total on the floor was a 48.925.

Maryland performed at a high level on the uneven bars as well. Led by Pascual's 9.850, sophomores Kristi Skowronski and Martinez had the second-best score on the squad with a 9.775 each.

Sophomore Gatch stepped up on the balance beam competition, notching a 9.825. Gatch, a 2003 second team All-EAGL on the beam, placed second. Hoenig had the second-best score for the Terps on the event with a 9.750.

Following Saturday's match-up with North Carolina, the Terps will be home for the first time this year as they host Temple, James Madison and Towson at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31. The meet will be held at Ritchie Coliseum, due to water damage from a broken pipe in the Comcast Center Gymnasium.

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