Jan. 15, 2011
Meet Results 
Photo Gallery 
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With 654 fans in attendance for its home opener, the University of Maryland gymnastics team claimed first place in its tri-meet with Air Force and New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon at the Comcast Center.
"The crowd was great tonight," said second-year head coach Brett Nelligan. "It was loud and the fans were supportive. It was incredible."
After recording their best season-opening performance since 2000, the Terps compiled an overall 194.525. Maryland finished over two points ahead of EAGL rival No. 13 New Hampshire (192.300) and eight ahead of Air Force (186.475).
Nelligan and the Terps earned meet-best scores on all four events as a team with a number of key contributors.
Senior Abigail Adams earned top honors in three out of four events en route to winning first in the all-around. Adams received first-place scores in uneven bars (9.850), balance beam (9.850) and floor exercise (9.875).
Said Coach Nelligan, "Abbey had an incredible day."
Despite Adams' astounding performances Saturday, everyone on the Maryland squad pitched in for the team victory.
Freshmen Katy Dodds and Elizabethe Manzi impressed fans with their respective performances on the floor and beam. Dodds' 9.800 on the floor exercise was one of three 9.80-plus scores for the Terrapins in the event, while Manzi earned a 9.775 in just her second career beam routine.
With 38.725 points, sophomore Kesley Cofsky trailed only Adams as an all-arounder.
"We fought through some tough parts," said Nelligan. "In the end , they were able to pull it all together. Kesley [Cofsky] and Katy [Dodds] also had great showings. Lizzy [Manzi] was phenomenal on beam. This was a real team effort. Everyoen had to step up and hit some routines when we needed them, and they did."
The Terps return to action at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21 in College Park, where they'll face-off against Ball State and local rival Towson University.
-ES
