Dec. 7, 2011

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland gymnastics team, the 2011 East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) regular-season champions, begin their 2011-12 campaign with the annual Red and Black Intrasquad on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in Comcast Pavilion.

"We have some very talented gymnasts this year and the Red vs. Black meet is a great way for our fans to see the team," said head coach Brett Nelligan. "Most importantly, this intrasquad will serve as our final preparation for the upcoming season."

The meet is open to all fans and will be the first chance to view a squad that features 2011 All-EAGL First Team members junior Ally Krikorian and sophomore Katy Dodds, along with six freshman in their first competition as Terrapins.

Maryland women's soccer head coach Brian Pensky and women's water polo head coach Carl Salyer will serve as celebrity coaches for the event.

Pensky, the 2010 Soccer American National Coach of the Year and ACC Coach of the Year, took the Terps to their second consecutive Sweet 16 in 2011.

Salyer led the Terps to a perfect 4-0 regular-season record in the Southern Division of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) in 2011 and third place finish at the CWPA Eastern Championships which matched the best showing in school history.

Admission is free and all fans are invited to an autograph session with the Maryland gymnasts after the event.

The Black Squad

Jessie Black
Notes: Black did not compete for the Terps in 2011. Black was a Level 10 regional qualifier in 2009 and 2010, and was a member of the Level 9 Western National Championship team in 2009.

Kesley Cofsky
Notes: In 2011, Cofsky placed in the top-15 on the bars, floor and all-around at the NCAA Athens Regional, and was named to the All-EAGL Second Team.

Stephanie Giameo
Notes: Giameo arrives at Maryland after competing for ENA Paramus Gymnastics for 11 years. Giameo placed ninth in the all-around at the 2011 Level 10 Nationals, and placed sixth on the beam.

Dani Kram
Notes: Kram competed for Hills Gymnastics for four years prior to Maryland. Kram is a six-time Level 10 regional qualifier.

Ally Krikorian
Notes: A First Team All-EAGL member on vault, Krikorian took the gold at the EAGL Championships and placed fifth at the NCAA Athens Regional in 2011.

Karen Tang
Notes: Tang was a four-time regional champion competing for Daggetts Gymnastics before arriving in College Park. Tang did not compete in 2011, but was named to the EAGL All-Academic Team.

Ebony Walters
Notes: Walters won the Maryland state championship on bars in 2010 while attending Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. The Silver Spring, Md., native did not compete for the Terps in 2011.

Nicole Wright
Notes: Wright was a Level 10 Virginia state champion in 2009 and competed for World Class Gymnastics for 14 years.

The Red Squad

Katy Dodds
Notes: Dodds competed on vault, bars and floor in all 13 meets in 2011. The Gaithersburg, Md., native was named to the All-EAGL First Team on vault and earned Rookie of the Year honors at the Maryland banquet.

Elizabeth Garcia
Notes: In 2010, the Terrapin freshman placed fourth on the bars at the Junior Olympic Nationals and third in the all-around at the regionals.

Emily Heller
Notes: Heller was the 2011 Gymnast of the Year in Maryland and a four-time Level 10 regional qualifier.

Elizabethe Manzi
Notes: Manzi competed on the beam in all 13 events. Manzi was named to the 2011 EAGL All-Academic Team.

Briana Melander
Notes: An EAGL All-Academic Team member, Melander did not compete for the Terps in 2011. In 2010, Melander competed in all 13 meets.

Becca Pang
Notes: Pang competed on the beam in nine events in 2011 including the EAGL Championships and the NCAA Athens Regional. Pang is a member of the EAGL All-Academic Team.

Kyra Phillips
Notes: Phillips earned Second Team All-EAGL honors on the vault in 2011. Phillips tied her career high on the floor with a 9.800 at the EAGL Championships.

Shannon Skochko
Notes: Skochko arrived at Maryland after training at Silvia's Gymnastics for four years. In 2007, Skochko won the Level 9 Pennsylvania AA state championship on the beam, floor and vault.

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