MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons has revealed the 2016 gymnastics schedule.

 

The Mountaineers’ slate features back-to-back meets against two recent NCAA Champions, as well as regular-season competitions against all three Big 12 Conference opponents and five contests at the WVU Coliseum.

 

 

“I’m excited for all the road challenges that await this year’s team,” said fifth-year coach Jason Butts. “I think we will be tested, and these meets will help prepare this squad for a great postseason. I’m also happy we will see each of our Big 12 opponents during the regular season before we all meet in Texas for the conference championship.

 

“This is a pretty brutal travel schedule, but this team is so ready. We have a very cohesive group this year, and they’re ready to get back to competition.”

 

WVU travels west for its season and Big 12 openers, as the Mountaineers will compete at new conference foe Denver for a tri-meet with Southern Utah on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m. ET. The Big 12 added the Pioneers, who finished 2015 ranked No. 15 nationally, as an affiliate member in July.

 

“Denver is always a good team,” said Butts. “We won the last time we traveled there, and it would be great to open the season with a victory against our new conference opponent.”

 

The Mountaineers open their 2016 home season with back-to-back meets at the WVU Coliseum. WVU will compete against New Hampshire on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m., and Western Michigan and William & Mary on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m.

 

Following an open week, the squad will hit the road for three straight meets. WVU will travel to two Big 12 opponents’ home venues in one weekend, as the Mountaineers will compete at Iowa State on Friday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m., and then travel to Norman, Oklahoma, for a meet against eight-time conference champion Oklahoma on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. The Sooners, the 2014 NCAA co-Champions, finished third at the 2015 National Championships.

 

WVU stays on the road for a meet at Alabama on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m. The two-time defending Southeastern Conference (SEC) champions Crimson Tide have won six NCAA titles and placed fourth at the 2015 NCAA Championships.

 

“I really think we need to face tough teams each season,” said Butts. “We have a really high level of talent this season, and I think this squad is going to be ready for these road challenges.”

 

Following a home meet against Kentucky on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m., WVU will travel to Philadelphia for the 2016 Unite for Her Pink Invitational on Friday, Feb. 26, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The meet, scheduled for a 4 p.m. start, will feature Penn State, West Chester, Southern Connecticut and Temple.

 

The Mountaineers will host a tri-meet against Ohio State and Bowling Green on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m., before closing out the regular season with two straight meets against Pitt. WVU will face the Panthers on Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. The squad will then travel to Pittsburgh for a meet at Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday, March 13. The start time will be announced at a later date.

 

“I’m really looking forward to the Pitt weekend,” said Butts. “This is a new ‘Backyard Brawl’ tradition we’re hoping to schedule each season.”

 

The Big 12 Gymnastics Championship will be moved to a neutral site this season. The four-team competition will take place on Saturday, March 19, at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

 

“I think moving the Big 12 Championship to Texas was an awesome decision,” explained Butts. “There are so many great gyms in the state, and we’re looking forward to putting on the West Virginia show in front of a new audience.”

 

The 2016 NCAA Regional Championships are set for April 2. Six schools will host this year’s regionals: Florida, Alabama, Utah, Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota.

 

The 2016 NCAA National Championships will be held April 15-17 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, in Fort Worth, Texas.  

 

The squad opened its preseason on Sept. 14 with its first official practice at Cary Gym. Eleven gymnasts return for the Mountaineers, including seniors Melissa Idell, Jaida Lawrence and Audrey Tolbert.