March 16, 2010

Meet Notes

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - This week is one filled with honors for the Maryland gymnastics team, as two of its members earned weekly East Atlantic Gymnastics League honors and 12 were named to the League's All-Academic team.

Senior Michele Brenner was named Specialist of the Week, while freshman Ally Krikorian was named Rookie of the Week for their performances in the Terps' meet at Penn Friday night.

Brenner earned a score 9.725 on beam and a 9.875 on floor, which gave her the floor exercise title of the night.

"Michele has been a great leader for the team in this, her senior season. She brings a mature confidence that sets the tone for her teammates as well as impresses the judges. These honors are well deserved," head coach Brett Nelligan said.

Krikorian scored a 9.900 on vault - her second 9.900 of the season on the event. Competing in floor for just the second time this year, she earned a 9.800. She won the vault competition and tied for second on floor.

"Ally had a great meet this past weekend, she has really emerged as one of our top contributors on floor and vault," Nelligan said.

Of the 12 Terps selected to the EAGL's All-Academic team, three were four-time honorees, including seniors Brandi George, Allie Dama and Margaux Meeks. Abigail Adams, Kaitlin Joseph, Kelsey McDermid, Lisa Reifschneider and Talia Tossone were all honored for the third time in their careers. Becca Pang has been honored twice and Kesley Cofsky, Jennifer Iovino and Briana Melander were all first-time recipients.

"Academics have always been a strong priority on this team. Not only do these girls work hard in the gym, they excel in the classroom. They're really taking advantage of the top-ranked education offered here at Maryland," Nelligan said.

A total of 94 gymnasts from the eight EAGL schools were named to the All-Academic team. In order to be named to the EAGL All-Academic team, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Freshmen are also eligible, if they earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the fall semester.

The Terps will host EAGL opponents North Carolina and George Washington Tuesday night in a tri-meet in the Comcast Center Pavilion at 7 p.m.