Gymnastics Holds First Official Practice
September 08, 2014 02:25 PM | General
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| Butts |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team will hold its first official practice of the 2015 season today at Cary Gym.
Eleven gymnasts return for the Mountaineers this season, including seniors Beth Deal, Dayah Haley and Lia Salzano. The first official practice follows three weeks of open gym sessions for the team.
“Our open gym sessions were great – there’s a lot of talent on the team this year,” said Mountaineer coach Jason Butts. “I’m ready to get this group in a structured practice setting and really gauge where this team stands. We’re excited to put together routines. The coaching staff plans to progress faster than in years past, and we are going to be aggressive and move toward full sets by early December.”
Seven newcomers join the Mountaineers this season, including transfers Brittney Harris (Pitt) and Audrey Tolbert (Ohio State). Rounding out this year’s squad are freshmen Robyn Bernard, Amanda Bowman, Jordan Gillette, Zaakira Muhammad and Alexa Phillip.
“Our freshmen are very talented and have been doing a great job in open gym,” Butts said. “I’m ready to finally give them structure and assignments this week.”
The Mountaineers finished the 2014 campaign at 6-11, including a third-place finish at the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship. Four Mountaineers qualified for the NCAA Athens Regional Championships: graduate Hope Sloanhoffer, Deal, and sophomores Nicolette Swoboda and Alexa Goldberg. Sloanhoffer finished first on the balance beam and second in the all-around, earning a spot at the 2014 NCAA National Championships.
WVU’s 2015 schedule is expected to be released later this month.
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