Jan. 13, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
After receiving its highest season-opening score since Jan. 8 2000, the University of Maryland gymnastics team will hold its home-opening meet Saturday against Air Force and No. 13 New Hampshire at 4:30 p.m. The home tri-meet will also be the first of several this season to be held on the main floor of the Comcast Center.
"We're excited about our home opener this weekend," said second-year head coach Brett Nelligan. "The Comcast center is one of the premier places to compete in the country."
With a 193.125 score at Kent State last Sunday, Nelligan and the Terps are ready to continue their hot start in which Maryland's balanced team performed well.
In her first collegiate meet, freshman Katy Dodds started strong with a 9.800 on vault, her first event. Dodds earned a 9.600 on the uneven bars and a 9.775 on the floor exercise. Sophomore Kesley Cofsky earned Maryland's highest all-around score of 38.750.
The Air Force Academy opened the 2010-11 season finishing in fourth with a 186.600 behind Denver, Georgia and Brigham Young on Jan. 8. The Falcons return five gymnasts from last season, when they finished third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Ranked 13th in the most recent GymInfo poll, New Hampshire is one of Maryland's East Atlantic Gymnastics League rivals. The Wildcats topped Rutgers, 194.5-191.875, in their season-opener at home on Jan. 9. In 2010, New Hampshire finished fourth at both the EAGL Championship and NCAA Regional.
In meets against New Hampshire, the Terps are 15-25 all-time while they are an undefeated 5-0 when competing against Air Force.
"The team is fired up to compete against Air Force and our conference rival New Hampshire," said Nelligan.
After this weekend's tri-meet, the Terps will host Ball State and Towson on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m before traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face off against the University of Illinois-Chicago, Kent State and Michigan.
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