March 27, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland gymnastics team travels to Morgantown, W. Va., to compete in the 2008 East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) Championships Saturday afternoon. The meet is set for 4:00 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.

The Terps are poised to improve upon their eighth-place finish in the 2007 EAGL Championships. Maryland currently holds a Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) of 192.870 and enters the championships ranked sixth within the EAGL.

"In looking back at our season, there were some bright moments, which energizes me about our chances this weekend," said head coach Bob Nelligan. "Last Friday at Penn State, our balance beam and vault teams were the strongest they have been all year. The combination of youth and and athletes returning from injury has been the cause of our inconsistency. Fortunately, with Margaux Meeks, Allison Dama, Talia Tossone and Kaitlin Joseph coming on strong, I feel the team can make some noise in the standings."

Several Terrapins will contend for individual championship titles. Sophomore Brandi George finished the regular-season ranked fourth in the all-around (39.000 RQS) and third on balance beam (9.820 RQS) within the EAGL. Sophomore Allison Dama is ranked second on uneven bars with a 9.860 RQS. Sophomore Talia Tossone is ranked seventh in the league on balance beam (9.810 RQS).

In addition to vying for the team title, the Terps are looking to improve their RQS in order to qualify for the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship hosted by the University of Florida on April 12.

The EAGL is comprised of the University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University of the Atlantic Coast Conference; University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University and West Virginia University of the Big East Conference; George Washington University of the Atlantic 10 Conference and the University of New Hampshire of the America East Conference.