Feb. 22, 2012

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland gymnastics team travels to San Jose State for a tri meet with the host Spartans and California Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. ET at Spartan Gym. It is the Terps first trip to the west coast since Jan. 8, 2005, when the Terrapins took on Alaska-Anchorage, Arizona State and Boise State in Maui.

Maryland
The Terps (8-6, 3-3 EAGL) are ranked in the top-35 on all four events led by vault and average 193.832 per meet. Maryland's 48.689 average on vault is ranked 29th nationally and is third in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). On floor, Maryland is fourth in the EAGL and 29th nationally with a 48.589 average.

Sophomore Katy Dodds and junior Ally Krikorian are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in the conference on vault. The duo has been Maryland's top two performers on vault in all seven meets.

On floor, Dodds has been the best performer this season. The Gaithersburg, Md., native is averaging a 9.872 which is good for sixth in the league.

Junior Kesley Cofsky and sophomore Elizabethe Manzi have shined on bars. Both Terrapin gymnasts average a 9.700 on the apparatus.

Junior Briana Melander leads the team on beam with a 9.689 average.

Last Time Out
Maryland scored a season-high 194.550 in a quad meet with Rutgers, West Virginia and William and Mary. The Terps also tallied season highs on bars (48.950) and floor (49.125). Maryland's 49.125 on floor is tied for the 20th-best score in school history.

Dodds tied for first on vault with Krikorian and won on floor with a personal-best tying 9.875. Dodds has now tied or placed first in an event five times this season.

No Terrapin gymnast finished with a score below 9.700 on bars. Dodds, Cofsky and Manzi all tied personal bests.  Cofsky and sophomore Karen Tang tied for fourth with a 9.825. Manzi finished with a 9.800 and Dodds recorded a 9.775.

Series History
The Terps are 2-1 all-time against California. The Terps and Golden Bears last met Jan. 13, 2001, with Maryland defeating Cal as part of a tri meet at Denver.

It is Maryland's first meeting with San Jose State.

Live Coverage
San Jose State will provide live scoring starting with the first rotation on SJSUSpartans.com.

California

The Golden Bears enter the meet after placing third in tri meet with sixth-ranked UCLA and eighth-ranked Oregon State last weekend.

Cal is averaging 192.718 per meet which ranks 44th nationally and eighth in the PAC 12. The Golden Bears strongest event is vault where they are averaging a 48.521 which is eighth in the conference.

Mariesah Pierce is the squad's top performer on vault and floor, and is second on the team on beam.

San Jose State

The Spartans fell to No. 16 Boise State Friday night, 195.475 - 193.875, snapping a two meet winning streak.

San Jose State ranks in the top-30 nationally on bars (29th) and floor (21st), and ranks 31st on beam. The squad ranks second in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in the three events.

Individually, Thomasina Wallace is No. 23 in the nation in the all-around with an average of 39.250. Wallace is tops in the WAC and 15th nationally on bars with a 9.861, and is second in the conference and 22nd nationally on beam with a 9.825.