Gymnastics: No. 23 WVU to Host Temple
February 14, 2009 01:16 PM | General
February 14, 2009
WVU vs. Temple Meet Notes
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| Naja Johnson |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 23 West Virginia University gymnastics team breaks from conference action to host Temple on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. The contest is a designated Pink Meet, and fans are encouraged to wear pink to promote breast cancer awareness.
The Mountaineers (5-4 overall, 4-1 EAGL) and the Owls (9-4) have met 40 times since 1980. WVU won the last meeting, 195.275-189.975, in 2007. The Owls’ only series win came in 1987, when they defeated WVU at home, 175.90-175.35.
Senior Mehgan Morris looks to return to the floor after sitting out last week's meet with a shoulder injury. The Belle, W.Va., native is 67.525 points short of breaking on to the Mountaineers' career points record list.
WVU returns home after securing a 195.125-193.150 win at George Washington on Feb. 9. The point total is a season high for the squad, fueled by season best vault (49.225) and beam (48.825) performances.
Sophomore Amy Bieski paced the Mountaineers against the Colonials, winning the all-around competition with 39.075 points. The victory was the second of the season for the Nanticoke, Pa., native. She ranks 12th on the Mountaineers’ all-time career list with four 39.00-plus all-around scores.
Junior Kiersten Spoerke led the beam lineup at GW, winning her second-straight competition and scoring 9.875 points.
Classmate Chelsi Tabor earned her fourth vault victory of the season, scoring her third 9.875 of the year. Sophomore Emily Kerwin tied Tabor for first on vault with a career-high score.
Before injuring herself at the conclusion of her floor routine, senior Erica Watson nabbed her first uneven bars victory of the season, scoring 9.800 points. Sophomore Naja Johnson finished second with a season-best 9.775. Johnson ended her evening with her first win of the year, tying Bieski for first on the floor with 9.825 points.
Prior to its meet at GW, WVU slipped one spot on the GymInfo Poll to No. 23 with a 194.119 season average. The Feb. 9 poll was the last of the season determined by team average - beginning Feb. 16, rankings will be determined by RQS.
Fans can follow the Mountaineers in action by watching a live stream at www.MSNsportsNET.com or by clicking HERE for live stats.
The Mountaineers will return to the road next and compete at No. 8 Oklahoma, with No. 13 Missouri and Brown, on Friday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m.
