MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A three-point difference separated the two teams at the West Virginia University gymnastics team's annual Fall Classic, as the Turkey squad edged the Pilgrims, 23-20, on Nov. 13, inside Cary Gym.
Combined, the teams hit 43-of-44 routines, a program record at the event.
The Mountaineers' annual preseason intrasquad, the Fall Classic is held to put the gymnasts under pressure just weeks away from the start of a new season.
On Monday, the student-athletes split into two squads. The Turkey team featured four all-around gymnasts in seniors
Jordan Gillette and
Zaakira Muhammad, junior
Jaquie Tun and sophomore
Julia Merwin. Sophomores
Kassidy Cumber and
Erica Fontaine, as well as freshman
Sydney Marler, also competed for the Turkey team.
On the Pilgrim side, three gymnasts competed in the all-around: senior
Robyn Bernard, junior
Kirah Koshinski and sophomore
Chloe Cluchey. The team also featured junior
Carly Galpin, sophomore
Abby Kaufman and freshmen
McKenna Linnen and
Michelle Waldron.
"I told the gymnasts at the beginning of the meet I didn't want to see perfection – I just needed to see fight," Mountaineer head coach
Jason Butts said. "I saw the fight on all four events. There were a few things off, but they showed they could all compete under pressure.
"We competed a lot of routines Monday evening, and I think the depth is there this season. The freshmen stepped up for us, and that bodes well for the year."
Led by the team's top two returning vaulters, nine gymnasts competed on the event.
"Zaakira and Kirah did a great job, as usual, on vault," Butts said. "Julia competed a brand-new vault for the first time under pressure, and she did great."
WVU hit 11-for-11 on the uneven bars.
"Robyn, our leadoff on the event for several seasons, did a great routine. It's nice to know we'll still have that consistency," Butts explained. "I thought Zaakira's bar routine was absolutely amazing, and I thought Sydney did a great job, too."
Thirteen of the 14 competing gymnasts competed beam, and the Mountaineers hit every routine.
"I think beam was the strongest event of the day," Butts said. "McKenna did a beautiful beam routine. Erica didn't compete last year, and she's been working really hard on this event. Yesterday's routine should be a big confidence boost for her and her teammates – under pressure, she can hit."
On floor, the Mountaineers finished with 10 hit routines.
"Floor was another strong event for us," Butts said. "Chloe's routine was awesome, and I liked the upgraded pass we saw from Jordan. Our music and choreography is great this season, and I think we have a lot of routines we can show off and earn big scores."
Tun was the standout all-around gymnast.
"Jaquie has made a slow and steady comeback from last year's injury. She's been relentless on her training, and she wants to come back and compete in the all-around," said Butts. "For her to go big in all four events, it's a testament to her dedication."
The Mountaineers will continue to train in Cary Gym as they work toward their 2018 season opener on Jan. 5 against Florida at the WVU Coliseum.
"We learned a lot at the Fall Classic. When it comes to composition of routines and the fine details, we know we have to fix a few things and get a bit cleaner," Butts said. "Those adjustments will be the difference between a 195.0 and a 196.0 score this year. Last season, we found out that without a few steps here or there, we could have been competing at the National Championships. We have to fix those things now so we have consistency in season."
