Feb. 24, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Gymnastics team will host Temple Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Comcast Pavilion. The Terps will honor seniors, Alex Gatch, Rachel Martinez, Mandy Pascual and Rebecca Ruppert.

The Terps are 8-6 overall this season and 4-2 in the EAGL conference. The squad is coming off an impressive win and season-high performance (193.075) over Pittsburgh and Rutgers last week. Angie Ferg paced Maryland on vault with a first-place finish and career high (9.85). Rachel Martinez tied a season high 9.9 and finished first on floor exercise. She also tied for first on uneven bars with a 9.725.

Maryland Seniors, Alex Gatch, Rachel Martinez, Mandy Pascual and Rebecca Ruppert will be honored today. This senior class has contributed so much to the team through competition and leadership.

Gatch:
Tri-Captain Alex Gatch has been a vital part to the Terps' beam lineup all four years and has become a staple on vault and uneven bars this season. Gatch was named second team All-EAGL on beam following her freshman year and tied for third place at NCAA Regionals in 2004.

Martinez:
Tri-Captain Rachel Martinez looks to finish up an outstanding career that began as an EAGL all-around champion her freshman season. Martinez owns a school record on vault (9.95) and tied school records on uneven bars (9.925) and all-around (39.625). She has been named first team All-EAGL eight times and second team All-EAGL five times in her career.

Pascual:
Mandy Pascual has been a crucial part of the Terps' uneven bars lineup for four seasons and has been an outstanding student as well. Pascual holds the school record on uneven bars (9.925) with Martinez. She was named first team All-EAGL on uneven bars twice in her career and is an NCAA regional qualifier on that event. She is a four-time NACGC Scholastic All-American and All-EAGL Academic team member. Pascual is a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District team member as well.

Ruppert:
Tri-Captain Rebecca Ruppert has been a vault specialist and academic standout for the team. She broke into the floor exercise lineup last season and has competed on that event several times this season. She is a three-time NACGC Scholastic All-American and a three-time EAGL All-Academic team member. Ruppert received the Community Service Award at the end of the 2005 season.

The Terps will have one more home meet on Tuesday, March 7, when they take on George Washington at 7 p.m. in the Comcast Pavilion.