Jan. 21, 2007

Hi Everyone! My name is Margaux Meeks, also known as Mo, and I am a freshman on this year's team. With the winter term almost over and spring classes just around the corner, I am anxious to start my second semester of college. Our team has been working very hard in the gym each and everyday, knowing that there are only a few days of training in between each competition.

These past two weeks of competitions have certainly been exciting as a freshman. The upperclassmen have been telling us that college gymnastics is nothing like club gymnastics, but you just don't realize it till you actually experience it. Competing for a crowd that came to see you is one of the most exhilarating experiences ever. Having all eyes on you and competing your routine can be frightening, but with the encouraging cheers from your teammates, you hardly notice the crowd. Also the coaches take away a lot of the pressure with positive coaching and being there to calm us down. I could not ask for a better team!

Although this past weekend didn't go exactly as planned, I believe that it was a great learning experience for the team, and especially the freshmen. Under some of the rough spots we did have many standout routines. Our team co-captains Angela Ferg and Rachel Colon both hit solid routines on beam, along with freshmen Talia Tossone and Michele Brenner. On floor Morgan Fishbein competed a 2 ½ twist into a punch front for the first time and it was absolutely amazing! Both Angela Ferg and Brandi George hit beautiful full twisting vaults and Allison Dama stole the show again on bars with an outstanding routine for the second meet in a row! With those solid routines and a little bit of work on the others, we are sure to blow away the crowd in Kentucky next weekend as we take on Kentucky, UNC, and WVU.

Well that's it for now! Thanks for reading and be sure to check in next week for another Terps Tumble Talk!!!!!

*Mo*