Gymnastics: WVU Opens Home Season
January 23, 2010 01:26 PM | General
January 23, 2010
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| Amy Bieski |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team opens its home season with a quad-meet against East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) foes NC State, Maryland and George Washington on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.
The Mountaineers (3-2, 1-0 EAGL) own a series advantage over the No. 23-ranked Wolfpack (21-11), the Colonials (37-1) and Maryland (29-13-1).
WVU met all three teams at least twice last season. The Mountaineers split with NC State (1-0, 1-0 EAGL), narrowly losing to the Wolfpack, 195.7-195.5, at the 2009 EAGL Championship in Raleigh, N.C., before earning redemption at the NCAA Southeast Regional, finishing fourth (194.225), while the Wolfpack finished sixth (193.8).
The Mountaineers also split with the Terrapins (3-1), losing at home (194.475-193.925), but winning at the league championship (195.5-194.525). WVU swept GW (3-2, 0-1 EAGL) in 2009, winning at home (193.925-191.775), in Washington, D.C. (195.125-193.15) and at the EAGL Championship (195.5-193.05).
“I think the team is glad to finally compete at home,” says 36-year coach Linda Burdette-Good. “They have had a pretty good week of practice and are anxious to compete infront of friends and family and on their own equipment.
“We like to compete against these three teams. You always have to do better when you go up against opponents from your league. Tomorrow will be a good test to see how we stack up against teams we will see at the end of the season.”
Junior Amy Bieski is the lone Mountaineer to bring a national ranking with her into the home opener. The Nanticoke, Pa., native is ranked 41st on floor with a 9.8 average.
The Mountaineers’ floor exercise lineup is also nationally ranked at No. 17.
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| Chelsi Tabor |
The Mountaineers enter their home opener on a 2-0 win streak, having scored 192.425 points at the Pitt tri-meet on Jan. 16 and defeating Kent State (190.825) and the host Panthers (190.55). WVU finished first on beam (47.775) and floor (48.625) and second on vault (48.5) and bars (47.525).
Senior Chelsi Tabor and Bieski stood at the top of the podium at Pitt, finishing first on vault (9.8) and floor (9.775), respectively. In total, six Mountaineers found their way onto the podium at Pitt. Senior Shelly Purkat finished second (9.725) and sophomore Nicole Roach took third (9.7) on beam, while sophomore Tina Maloney placed second (9.75) and junior Naja Johnson flipped to third (9.725) on floor. Bieski finished third overall with 38.05 points.
Sunday is a Dollar Day, with all tickets and select concessions priced at $1 each.
Fans can follow the Mountaineers on Sunday by watching a live stream at www.MSNsportsNET.com or by clicking HERE for live stats.
