Jan. 13, 2010

Meet Notes

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland gymnastics team will host its home opener Friday night at 7 p.m. when Temple, Bridgeport and Cornell come to College Park to open their meet seasons. The Terps (0-1) are set to begin their home season on the right foot after a strong showing at No. 6 Louisiana State last Friday. Scores will be posted on the team's schedule page at the completion of each rotation.

The Terrapins, who are currently ranked No. 18 in the vault and No. 25 in beam nationally, welcome five newcomers to the team. For them, Friday marks their first home meet on the floor as a Terrapin. Freshman Kesley Cofsky was recently named the EAGL Rookie of the Week for her performance in the all-around last week at LSU.

The Terrapins are coming off of a 15-19 season that included a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Athletic Gymnastics League and an appearance in the NCAA Regional championships.

The Terps will be signing autographs for fans at the end of the meet.

MEET NOTES
- The Maryland gymnastics team continues its 2010 regular season Friday evening by hosting Temple, Bridgeport and Cornell in a quad meet.
- Maryland's 2010 campaign marks the 35th season in program history. The Terps stand 0-1 on the season after falling at No. 6 LSU last weekend in Baton Rouge, La.
- This is head coach Brett Nelligan's first at the helm of the Terrapin gymnastics program. He took over this year for his father, longtime Terp coach Bob Nelligan, after serving seven years as an assistant.
- Freshman Kesley Cofsky was named the EAGL Rookie of the Week this week for her performance in the all-around at No. 6 LSU on Friday.
- Tonight is the season opener for the Terps' three opponents.

ABOUT THE TERPS
- Maryland features a senior-laden squad that returns 11 letterwinners from a year ago.
- The Terrapins are currently ranked No. 18 in the vault and No. 25 in the beam nationally.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
- This is the season opener for the Temple Owls who return 10 letterwinners and lost five after last season. They went 15-12 in the 2009 season.
- The Bridgeport Purple Knights are last year's USA Gymnastics Collegiate Team National Champions. They share the title with Cornell.
- Cornell returns 12 starters and loses three this year. They won the Ivy League and tied with Bridgeport for the USA Gymnastics team national title.

UP NEXT
- Following their home-opener at Louisiana State, the Terps hit the road to take on two EAGL opponents in No. 21 West Virginia and N.C. State in Morgantown, W. Va. on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.