Gymnastics: WVU Sweeps Maryland Quad-Meet
January 30, 2010 07:27 PM | General
January 30, 2010
Meet Results
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| Amy Bieski |
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The West Virginia University gymnastics team turned in its best all-around performance of the season, scoring 194.6 points and sweeping the competition at the Maryland quad-meet this evening at the Comcast Center.
The Mountaineers (9-2, 6-0 EAGL) defeated the host Terrapins (193.925) for their second win over UMD in six days. WVU also knocked-off No. 16 Denver (192.85) and Rutgers (190.55); the win over the Pioneers is the Mountaineers’ second over a ranked opponent in as many weeks.
The three wins push the Mountaineers’ win streak to eight; WVU has not lost a meet since going 1-2 at Michigan State on Jan. 8. Additionally, the victories over the Terrapins and the Scarlet Knights preserve the Mountaineers’ perfect 6-0 East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) record.
“This is the first meet in years where the team warmed-up in a strong mental state and maintained that effort throughout the competition,” says 36-year coach Linda Burdette-Good. “This team worked so hard in the gym this week to correct its routines, and they all earned this win tonight.”
WVU tallied season-high marks on bars (48.825), floor (48.875) and beam (48.175). The team also scored 48.725 on vault and finished first on each event but beam, which the Mountaineers lost to the Terrapins (48.8).
Junior Amy Bieski finished first overall for the second-consecutive meet with a final tally of 38.775. The Nanticoke, Pa., native’s evening included a first place, 9.8 bars showing, her second-straight win on the apparatus.
Owning a 0.1 lead over the Terrapins heading into the final rotation, the Mountaineers scored a season-best 48.825 on bars, including three winning 9.8 scores, to secure their sweep.
First place, season-high 9.8 scores from Bieski, sophomore Nicole Roach and junior Emily Kerwin fueled the Mountaineers strong final rotation. In only her third meet on bars, Kerwin’s mark is also a career-high. Junior Faye Meaden also turned in a strong routine, tallying a career-best 9.725 points in the No. 2 spot.
The Pioneers jumped out to the early lead with a 48.55 bars showing. The Terrapins trailed and scored 48.525 on vault, while the Mountaineers tallied 48.175 on beam and sat in third. The Scarlet Knights rounded out the group with a 47.025 floor score.
WVU’s beam rotation opened the meet with a season-best score. The seniors stepped up for the Mountaineers, with each scoring 9.65 or better. Anchor Kiersten Spoerke tallied a season-best 9.725 and finished sixth overall; the Suwanee, Ga., native followed a strong 9.675 showing from Shelly Purkat. Chelsi Tabor was also stellar, earning 9.65 points in the No. 2 slot.
The Mountaineers ascended to the top with a season-best 48.875 floor rotation, pushing their running total to 97.02. UMD remained in second with 96.875 points after scoring 48.35 on bars, while DU’s 47.55 beam score dropped the team to third place with 96.1 points. RU remained in fourth place, scoring 48.3 on vault and bringing its aggregate score to 95.325.
Three season-high scores highlighted the Mountaineers’ strongest floor rotation to date. Spoerke paced WVU on the second-straight event, tallying 9.825 points, besting her previous high by .075 points, and finishing second overall. Also earning season-bests were sophomore Tina Maloney (9.8) and Meaden (9.75); Meaden’s score is also a career-high. Bieski placed third on the team with 9.775 points, while junior Stephanie Keaton opened the rotation with a 9.725 score.
As the Terrapins inched closer, WVU retained its lead through three rotations, scoring 48.725 on vault for a combined score of 145.775. UMD achieved 48.8 on beam and sat behind the Mountaineers with 145.675 points. Denver tallied 48.2 on floor for a running total of 144.3, while Rutgers earned 47.425 on bars and remained in fourth place with 142.75 points.
Beckley, W.Va., native Tabor proved unflappable on vault again, anchoring the lineup with a first-place 9.85 score. Bieski finished second on the team, fourth overall, and matched her season-best score of 9.775, while freshman Alaska Richardson vaulted to a 9.725 mark. Also of note, Kerwin finished fourth on the team with a season-best 9.7 score.
The Terrapins closed the meet with a 48.25 showing on floor, while the Pioneers registered 48.55 on vault and the Scarlet Knights tallied 47.8 on beam.
Tonight’s wins pad the Mountaineers’ series advantages over all three teams, as WVU remains ahead of UMD (31-13-1), DU (3-1) and RU (47-0).
Of note, harsh winter weather delayed the start of this evening’s meet by 25 minutes.
The Mountaineers return home Friday, Feb. 5, for a tri-meet with No. 17 Michigan and William & Mary at 8 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.
