Jan. 19, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Gymnastics team travels to Champaign, Illinois to compete against the Fighting Illini, Saturday, January 21 at 7:00p.m. The Fighting Illini gymnasts are 0-2 this season after losing to Florida (then ranked no. 6) and Iowa State (then ranked no. 7). This meet will mark the home opener for Illinois.

The Terps are coming off a tough loss at the University of Georgia. The defending National Champions defeated Maryland on all four events. Maryland did improve its scores on uneven bars and balance beam and Rachel Colon improved her all-around score by two full points from the previous week.

Season Highs for the Terps:

Vault: 9.8, Angie Ferg against James Madison
Uneven Bars:9.75, Rachel Martinez against James Madison
Balance Beam: 9.7, Rachel Colon against Georgia
Floor Exercise: 9.875,Rachel Martinez against James Madison
All-Around: 38.925, Rachel Martinez against James Madison
Team Total: 189.3 against James Madison

Season Highs for the Fighting Illini:

Vault: 9.7, Danye Botterman and Michelle McGrady against Iowa State
Uneven Bars: 9.75, Cara Pomeroy against Florida and Iowa State
Balance Beam: 9.8, Julie Crall against Florida and Iowa State
Floor Exercise: 9.725, Julie Crall and Katie Wild against Florida
Team Total: 191.650 against Iowa State

The Terps will be on the road against next Sunday (January 29) at 1:00p.m. as they travel to North Carolina for a quad meet with the Tar Heels, Kentucky Wildcats and the James Madison Dukes.

Maryland will return home on February 4 at 7:00p.m. to host the Governor's Cup. The Terps will team with the Towson Tigers to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels and the NC State Wolfpack.