March 11, 2009

Complete Results

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As all-around competitors, Abbey Adams and Brandi George typically compete in every event, and that is good news for the University of Maryland gymnastics team. During Wednesday evening's home dual meet with Pittsburgh, the dynamic duo was at it again, helping the Terrapins claim their second best team score of the season and down the Panthers, 195.025 to 194.100.

Adams and George finished first and second, respectively, in Wednesday's all-around competition, with both gymnasts placing in the top-five in all four events. Adams claimed Maryland's best all-around score (39.275) of the season, winning on uneven bars with a career-best score (9.875) and finishing tied for second on balance beam and floor exercise. George turned in her sixth all-around mark (39.175) of the season exceeding 39.000, placing tied for second on both vault and beam.

Their performances helped enable the Terps (12-7, 8-3 East Atlantic Gymnastics League) to improve to 6-1 in meets held in the Comcast Center Pavilion this season. The victory over Pittsburgh also assured head coach Bob Nelligan, who now has 490 career wins, his 19th winning regular season at Maryland.

Wednesday's back-and-forth competition resulted in lead changes after every rotation. Maryland led by one-tenth of a point at the halfway mark, and Pittsburgh had a similar lead heading into the final rotation. In the end, however, the Terps proved too strong and succeeded at sweeping the regular season series from the Panthers (7-6).

"This team just doesn't quit," Nelligan said of his squad. "We showed a lot of poise and determination tonight against a very good Pitt team. We needed a strong team score, and our gymnasts came through."

The Terps tied their season-best team score on uneven bars (48.800), as sophomore Kaitlin Joseph complemented Adams and George by tying her career-best mark (9.800) to finish tied for third. The ensuing balance beam rotation saw Adams, George and junior Talia Tossone each secure scores of 9.800.

Maryland overtook Pittsburgh during the final rotation on floor exercise. The team's final two competitors, Adams and junior Michele Brenner, ended the meet on a particularly strong note, notching scores of 9.825 to lock up the victory.

The Terrapins return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday when they welcome No. 15 Penn State, No. 19 Arizona and Yale to the Comcast Center Pavilion for a regular season finale quad-meet. Saturday's meet represents the final regular season competition for Nelligan, who has stated his intentions to retire following the end of the 2009 season, and his daughter, senior Kelsey Nelligan. It is also the team's final tune-up prior to next week's EAGL Championships in Raleigh N.C.

Saturday's meet is free and open the public. It will be streamed live over the Internet by ACC Select.