Gymnastics: WVU Ranked No. 18
January 12, 2009 05:29 PM | General
January 12, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following an outstanding opening meet in which it narrowly lost at then-No. 1 Georgia, the West Virginia University gymnastics team is ranked No. 18 on the latest GymInfo Poll, released today.
Despite losing 195.425-194.075 to the Bulldogs (1-0), the Mountaineers (0-1) improved five spots from their preseason ranking. UGA dropped to No. 8, while Florida moved in to the No. 1 position.
“This ranking is a great place to start the season,” says Coach Linda Burdette. “I thought we had a good meet for the opener, and I know we’re going to get better, so I’m happy with our start to 2009.”
In addition to their national ranking, the Mountaineers also rank third in the Southeast Region, behind No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Georgia, and first in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL).
WVU’s showing in Athens was the program’s second-best opening meet mark. The Mountaineers previously scored 194.800 in 2007 in a loss to Michigan and a win over James Madison.
Senior Mehgan Morris scored 38.925 points in the all-around at UGA and led the Mountaineers on the uneven bars (9.850) and the floor exercise (9.850).
Junior Chelsi Tabor tied for first place on the vault with 9.875 points, while freshman Jenn Sharon netted the squad’s best balance beam score with 9.725 points.
The Mountaineers continue their season-opening road trip in a quad meet at Michigan State with Iowa and Illinois State on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
GymInfo rankings are based on total season average until Feb. 16, when regional qualifying scores become the basis for rankings.
