Gymnastics: WVU Opens Official Practice
September 12, 2010 03:52 PM | General
September 12, 2010
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| Linda Burdette-Good |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team opens its 2011 season on Monday, Sept. 13, with its first official practice at 2:30 p.m., at Cary Gym.
“We’re excited to start the 2011 season,” says 37-year coach Linda Burdette-Good. “I know the team has worked hard in the offseason, and I’m anxious to see where we stand.
“The team has been working hard in its strength and conditioning sessions, and that’s motivating. As a coaching staff, we want the team to be in good shape. We’re looking to start at the head of the game this season and not have to play catch-up.”
The Mountaineers return to the gym after finishing the 2010 campaign at 19-9, including a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships. Playing host to its seventh regional championship, the Mountaineers bested their sixth-place qualifying position with a 195.1 score, their second-best mark of the season, in front of 2,144 fans at the WVU Coliseum, the sixth-best crowd in program history.
WVU also went 12-2 in East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) competition and finished third at the league championship with a score of 195.075.
Thirteen Mountaineers return for the 2011 season, including six seniors. Amy Bieski, a five-time 2010 all-EAGL honoree, leads the class after breaking onto the WVU all-time career points list as a junior. The Nanticoke, Pa., native finished the year ranked 16th with 1,474.9 points. The Mountaineers’ lone all-arounder, she finished ninth overall at the regional championships with 39.1 points, a regional career-best score. She also finished third on beam with a career-best 9.85 score.
Naja Johnson, Stephanie Keaton, Emily Kerwin, Faye Meaden and Alysha Pretzello complete the senior class. Meaden, a two-time EAGL Rookie of the Week honoree in 2010, should once again impact the bars and floor lineups, while Johnson looks to return from a season-ending knee injury.
Juniors Nicole Roach, a two-time first team all-EAGL bars honoree, and Tina Maloney, a 2010 second team all-EAGL floor performer, should pace the Mountaineers in their respective events, while sophomore Chelsea Goldschrafe, the team’s top floor worker at the regional championships with a 9.825 showing, looks to capitalize on her rookie success and enjoy a breakout sophomore season.
Six newcomers, including sophomore Kaylyn Millick, an Eastern Michigan transfer and 2010 NCAA regional championships individual qualifier, join the Mountaineers this season.
Burdette-Good enters the 2011 season with a 631-253-4 career record and a résumé that includes 27 NCAA regional appearances, six EAGL titles and three invitations to the NCAA National Championship.
The Mountaineers’ 2011 schedule is expected to be released in the near future.
