MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team will hold its annual Fall Classic intrasquad on Monday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m., inside Cary Gym.
 
Fans are encouraged to stop by the practice facility to see the 2018-19 Mountaineers in action for the first time this year. Admission is free.
 
A complete recap will be provided Tuesday at WVUsports.com.
 
The Fall Classic will simulate a formal meet, as the Mountaineers will split into two teams and the gymnasts will compete their full routines in front of judges and fans.
 
"The Fall Classic is a good opportunity for our staff to put the gymnasts under pressure in a meet-like environment," Mountaineer coach Jason Butts said. "We will evaluate the routines and see where we need to go, as far as routine construction and confidence is concerned. This is an opportunity for this team to see where we stand and where we need to improve.
 
"I'm hoping to show the gymnasts their strengths and weaknesses Monday. The Fall Classic is a starting point – we know the 2018 season is right around the corner. It's time to buckle down and focus our energy toward the season opener and what is shaping up to be an amazing season."
 
Twelve Mountaineers return this season, and the squad will be led by seniors Robyn Bernard, Jordan Gillette and Zaakira Muhammad. For the first time in program history, two All-Americans return to compete for WVU, as Muhammad (2017 NCAA Second Team, floor) and junior Kirah Koshinski (2016 and 2017 NACGC/W Second Team, vault) collected honors one year ago.
 
Muhammad paced the team in 2017, competing in 14 meets, including the NCAA Championships as an all-around qualifier, and earning 478.8875 points. She shows a team-best 1,143.4125 career points.
 
Four Mountaineer freshmen join the program this season: Jessie Bastardi, McKenna Linnen, Sydney Marler and Michelle Waldron. Also making her unofficial debut Monday afternoon is first-year assistant coach Shea Anderson.
 
The Mountaineers finished the 2017 season with a 13-10 record, including a 3-3 showing in Big 12 Conference action. WVU finished third at the 2017 NCAA Morgantown Regional Championships with a WVU regional record score of 196.325.