Jan. 15, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Fresh off its season-opening home victory, the University of Maryland gymnastics squad hits the road this weekend to take on 12th-ranked Ohio State at 7 p.m. Saturday in St. John's Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Despite being short-handed due to injury, the Terps bested visiting Kent State in their first dual meet last week behind a strong team effort exemplified by a quartet of all-around performances by gymnasts Abbey Adams, Michele Brenner, Brandi George and Kyra Phillips. They face yet another stout opponent in the Buckeyes, who have advanced to NCAA regional competition in each of the last three seasons.
"We're excited about taking our show on the road for the first time this season," head coach Bob Nelligan said. "Ohio State consistently has one of the best programs in the nation, so we're expecting a challenging meet that will only make us better in the long run."
With an opening-meet team score of 191.450, Maryland currently ranks fifth in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League and represents one of just three unbeaten teams in the EAGL. Adams' season-opening all-around score of 38.550 is good for second among league gymnasts.
The Terps performed particularly well in their first and last rotations versus the Golden Flashes - vault and floor exercise, respectively - and hope to build on that success by posting strong scores in all four events against the Buckeyes.
"It's important for us to strive to develop consistency with our performances in all four events, and this meet should be a good measuring stick for us," Nelligan said.
Last Time Out
Maryland opened its 2009 campaign by beating reigning Mid-American Conference champion Kent State, 191.450 to 188.700, at home on Jan. 9, as Adams (all-around), Brenner (floor exercise) and George (balance beam) claimed individual victories. Adams set a career high on vault (9.800), and fellow sophomore Kaitlin Joseph equaled her personal best on uneven bars (9.700). Phillips became the first Terp freshman to perform in all four events in her first collegiate meet since George in 2007.
Scouting the Competition
• Ohio State, ranked No. 21 in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, opened its season Jan. 9 with a loss at Arkansas, but posted the 12th-best season-opening score of 2009 with a mark of 194.625 against the Razorbacks.
• The Buckeyes return eight letterwinners from a squad that finished the 2008 season ranked 18th following a third-place showing at the NCAA Central Region Championships with a team total of 195.125.
• An All-Big Ten selection last season, sophomore Rebecca Best traveled to the 2008 NCAA National Championships as an alternate after posting a 39.150 all-around score at regionals.
Did You Know
Maryland's season-opening team vault score of 48.650 tied for the second-best in the EAGL and the 18th-best in the nation through the opening week of the 2009 season. In addition to Adams, Brenner, George and Phillips, juniors Candice King and Talia Tossone contributed to that score.
Up Next
Following their dual meet at Ohio State, the Terps return home to face Denver and NC State in the Comcast Center Pavilion in their first tri-meet of the season. on Jan. 23.
