Terp of the Week: Katy Dodds
1/18/2013 7:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
Jan. 18, 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Each week during the 2012-13 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is Katy Doddsfrom gymnastics.
In the Terps' season opener on Saturday at NC State, Dodds tallied a program-record 9.975 on vault, which ranks as the best score in the nation so far this season, and helped the Terps finish with a season-opening record 195.000 to tie the 19th-ranked Wolfpack. In addition, Dodds received a 10.000 from one of the judges for her vault.
By Anna Labonte | Maryland Media Relations Student Assistant
As a sophomore last season, Katy Dodds led the Maryland gymnastics team to strong performances in the EAGL Championships and NCAA Regional Championships. Earning a spot on the All-EAGL First Team, Dodds was ready for a strong junior season with the Terps.
“The focus was different going into this season,” said Dodds. “We saw how much talent we have, and knew this year could be different for us. We had a goal in mind to show off the talent we have.”
After Maryland's first intrasquad meet in November, Dodds learned she had a partially torn Achilles tendon. In a boot for two months, Dodds couldn't compete in the Red and Black Intrasquad in January, and she had barely any time to prep for the beginning of the season.
“It was tough because it was the first intrasquad I had to sit out since starting at Maryland,” said Dodds. “I went home and had about two weeks. I wasn't allowed to tumble until one week before the first meet, so it really went down to crunch time.”
Despite the short prep time, Dodds shined in her first meet back from injury. In the Terps' opener against No. 19 NC State, Dodds set a program record on vault with a 9.975, which included a perfect 10 from one of the judges.
“It was an amazing feeling,” said Dodds. “Starting off the year with something like that, I've never experienced it before.”
With her high score, Dodds currently ranks first in the nation on vault, and was named EAGL Specialist of the Week for her performance.
Even though Dodds is off to a great individual start, she is more excited for her team this season. The Terps posted a program-best start to the season with a 195.000 in the team's tie against the Wolfpack.
“It shows the start we can have this year,” said Dodds. “It was the highest score for the team, so it was a huge first meet.”
Even though the Terps posted record numbers in their first, they're still looking to improve. They get their first chance Saturday in a quad meet against Pittsburgh, Temple and Cornell.
“Seeing what this team can do after the first meet, we have tremendous potential,” said Dodds. “After last week ended, it was great, but Sunday we came in the gym and that meet was over. We're taking it one meet at a time, and we knew we can score higher.”
