Dec. 15, 2008
Written by: Associate Head Coach Brett Nelligan
Hey Everyone,
This past week was a busy one for the lady Terps, as we prepared for the Red vs. Black intra-squad held this past Saturday. In addition to intense workouts all week, many of the girls had exams, papers and projects due. Our team always does a great job balancing school-work and practice time.
As the day of the intra-squad finally arrived, the team seemed excited and to my surprise, not too nervous at all. We already competed in a closed-door intrasquad a few weeks ago with real judges, and everyone did a great job. I think the girls welcomed the relaxed atmosphere of this second preseason competition.
Adding to the day's fun were our celebrity coaches and judges. Head diving coach Anton Slobounov, head women's water polo coach Carl Salyer and athletics department employee Carrie Bittman acted as coaches. Special congrats to Carrie for taking the win! I also have to thank our celebrity judges; soccer player (and former gymnast herself!) Molly Dreska judged vault and beam along with Terps football place-kicker Obi Egekeze. Fellow Terp football player Paul Lariviere and power forward for the men's basketball team, Jerome Burney, scored the bars and floor exercises. The judges did a great job and and I can't thank them enough. Good luck to Obi and Paul as they and the rest of the football team head out to Boise, Idaho, to bring home yet another bowl victory at the end of the month!
The meet went well, and all the girls looked great out there. Some highlights included Brandi George and Abbey Adams phenomenal vaults. On bars Becca Pang hit her routine with a nice double layout dismount, followed by Kelsey McDermid, who made sure she hit every handstand, a real area of focus for us this preseason. Talia Tossone performed her always flawless beam routine and our celeb judges gave her a perfect 10! Brandi and Talia also showed off new passes on floor, and Abbey captivated the crowd with her expressive dance and stuck landings.
As a coach, the intrasquad is a great tool for measuring where we are as a team, and what areas we need to work on. This team has the talent and drive to challenge any team in the country this season. It's going to be an exciting year so keep checking the website!
I have a favor to ask all of you Terps Talk readers out there. Please say a special prayer for our very own Allie Dama and the Dama family. Allie has been sick this semester and was admitted to the hospital this weekend. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Feel better soon Al, we miss you.
Brett Nelligan
Previous Terps Tumble Talks:
Dec. 8, 2008 - Michele Brenner
Dec. 2, 2008 - Kaitlin Joseph
Nov. 24, 2008 - Assistant coach Vicki Chliszczyk
Nov. 17, 2008 - Becca Pang
Nov. 10, 2008 - Allie Dama
Nov. 3, 2008 - Margaux Meeks
Oct. 27, 2008 - Kelsey McDermid
Oct. 20, 2008 - Brandi George
Oct. 13, 2008 - Lisa Reifschneider
Oct. 6, 2008 - Head coach Bob Nelligan
