Gymnastics: WVU Plays Host to 7 p.m. Tri-Meet
February 04, 2010 03:43 PM | General
February 4, 2010
Meet Notes
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| Amy Bieski |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team returns to the WVU Coliseum and plays host to No. 15 Michigan and William & Mary on Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m.
Due to the threat of inclement weather, tomorrow’s meet has been moved up one hour from its previous start time of 8 p.m.
The Mountaineers (9-2, 6-0) bring a three-meet win streak to tomorrow’s competition, having defeated eight squads since opening the season 1-2 at Michigan State on Jan. 8. Additionally, the squad has knocked off two ranked opponents in consecutive weeks.
“If we can warm-up and compete in the same fashion we did this past weekend, especially after the great week of practice we had, we should continue to see our scores go up,” says 36-year coach Linda Burdette-Good. “This team is spending a lot of time on the little details, and those are going to start adding up for us quickly.
“Michigan is again very talented this year. This weekend should serve as a good measuring stick for us. We have a chance for the win if we hit, but my main concern is to keep improving our overall scores.”
The floor lineup continues to shine brightest for the Mountaineers and is nationally ranked 16th this week with a 48.875 average.
WVU scored a season-best 194.6 last week at Maryland and notched wins over the Terrapins (193.925), then-No. 16 Denver (192.85) and Rutgers (190.55). The victories over UMD and RU marked the Mountaineers’ fifth and sixth East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) wins in three meets.
The Mountaineers scored season-bests on bars (48.825), beam (48.175) and floor (48.875) in the quad-meet sweep. WVU also scored 48.725 on vault and won each event but beam, which the Mountaineers lost to the Terrapins (48.8).
The Wolverines (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) enter Morgantown with a four-meet win streak over the Mountaineers, including a 196.075-190.3 victory in 2008, the last time the squads met, and own a 4-14 series advantage.
The Mountaineers have never lost to the Tribe (1-6, 1-3 ECAC) in their 12 meetings and last earned 192.7-187.425 win in 2008.
WVU will again be without the services of junior Naja Johnson, as the Austell, Ga., native continues to recover from a Jan. 24 injury.
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| Chelsi Tabor |
Senior Chelsi Tabor will go for her fourth-straight vault win this weekend. The Beckley, W.Va., native scored 9.85 last Saturday and won the event uncontested. Through four meets, the reigning EAGL champion owns a 9.806 average and is ranked 10th in the southeast region.
Junior Amy Bieski continues to display consistency across the gym, as she scored 38.775 points last week and finished first overall for the second-straight week. The Nanticoke, Pa., native’s evening included a winning, season-best 9.8 showing on bars. Additionally, Bieski owns a 9.8 floor average and is ranked 46th in the nation.
Sophomore Nicole Roach and junior Emily Kerwin joined Bieski on the podium with identical 9.8 scores; the marks were season-highs for each Mountaineer, and a career-best for Kerwin.
Senior Kiersten Spoerke also enjoyed a strong showing at Maryland, finishing second on floor (9.825) and sixth on beam (9.725); both scores were season-bests.
Fans can follow the Mountaineers Friday by watching a live stream at www.MSNsportsNET.com or by clicking HERE for live stats.
