Jan. 17, 2009
Complete Results
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Sophomore Abbey Adams won on vault and five other gymnasts also improved at least one individual score from the season-opening meet, but the University of Maryland gymnastics team fell to nationally-ranked Ohio State, 194.750 to 190.525, during a dual meet Saturday evening in St. John's Arena.
Continuing the Terps' recent trend of early-meet success, Adams tied a career-best with a score of 9.750 on vault to claim the individual victory. The win marked the second in as many meets for the Spring, Texas, native, as Adams also posted the meet-best all-around score during Maryland's home victory over Kent State to open the season on Jan. 9.
Fellow gymnasts Michele Brenner (uneven bars, balance beam and all-around), Brandi George (uneven bars, floor exercise and all-around), Candice King (balance beam), Kelsey McDermid (uneven bars) and Talia Tossone (balance beam) each bettered one or more marks from the team's first meet with their efforts against Ohio State.
The Terps also improved their collective scores from last week on uneven bars (48.000) and balance beam (47.950) after producing more consistent team performances in both events.
But the 12th-ranked Buckeyes, who boast one of the nation's top programs having advanced to regional competition the previous three seasons, proved too strong on their own floor. Ohio State gymnast Kiki Holman led the way for the home team, placing in the top-three on vault, uneven bars and balance beam en route to claiming the all-around individual title.
Despite remaining short-handed due to injury, the Terps received a boost against the Buckeyes thanks to performances by two gymnasts who saw action for the first time this season. Junior Margaux Meeks performed on uneven bars, and freshman Becca Pang, who served as an exhibition participant against the Golden Flashes, entered the scoring book for the first time in her collegiate career Saturday as a member of Maryland's balance beam squad.
The Terps return to action at 7 p.m. Friday when they play host to Denver and East Atlantic Gymnastics League opponent NC State in the Comcast Center Pavilion. The meet is free to the public, and the Maryland gymnasts will be available to autograph team posters following its conclusion.
