Feb. 7, 2009
Complete Results
RALEIGH, N.C. -
The University of Maryland gymnastics squad posted a team score of 193.675 to finish third out of five teams Saturday evening at the 14th annual Governor's Cup before a crowd of 1,887 in NC State's Reynolds Coliseum.
Powered by eight top-10 finishes, the Terps recorded their best overall score in the Governor's Cup since 2004 to defeat fellow East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) foe New Hampshire (191.775) and state rival Towson (191.700). Host NC State won with a score of 194.950, and fellow EAGL representative North Carolina finished second (194.450).
Junior Talia Tossone enjoyed a strong performance as a specialist for the Terps, finishing tied for third on balance beam (9.775) and tied for fifth on floor exercise with a career-best mark (9.825).
Impressive routines on floor exercise by Tossone and fellow juniors Michele Brenner (tied for fifth - 9.825) and Brandi George (tied for ninth - 9.800) enabled the Terrapins to claim their best team score of the season in that event at 48.825. Sophomores Abbey Adams and Kaitlin Joseph and freshman Kyra Phillips also contributed to Maryland's floor exercise score.
"Our floor squad came through in a big way for us tonight," said head coach Bob Nelligan, who now has 486 career victories. "This was an extremely competitive meet, and we were able to hold our own."
George placed 10th on uneven bars en route to claiming the meet's fourth-best all-around performance. Phillips and Adams also notched top-10 finishes, as Phillips placed tied for sixth on vault (9.825) and Adams tied for seventh on uneven bars (9.775).
Maryland finished Saturday's Governor's Cup with a team score well above its season average entering the meet (192.725). With a record of 8-3, the Terps are off to their best start since beginning the 2002 season 12-3.
The Terrapins return to action when they travel northeastward for a pair of away meets next weekend. Maryland competes at Pittsburgh on Friday, Feb. 13, and at Kent State with Central Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 15.
