Despite the loss of two valuable all-around gymnasts, Kathy Parody and Lynn Crane, the Lady Lions held together Friday and defeated Indiana University of Pennsylvania and University of North Carolina.

Although the Lady Lions scored their season low of 180.70, the score was still high enough to take down IUP's Lady Indians (179.25) and UNC's Lady Tar Heels (179.70). The Lady Lions' record is now 6-2.

"I think that we were disappointed in the outcome of the meet because we didn't perform well," Coach Judi Avener said, "We won, but in gymnastics you are more concerned with how well you perform, if you meet your goals and if you meet the objectives you set for yourself, but we fell short of that.

"But I think that it is understandable given the psychological drain that was on us after the Cat Classic. Kathy Parody is a significant part of our team and a great leader when she got hurt and it was clear that she would not be back, the team was heartbroken," Avener continued.

Because of the loss of two of their teammates, the Lady Lions concentrated their strength into small numbers and relied on the freshmen gymnasts.

"There was a lot of pressure to be smart and really concentrate to keep from getting hurt because we can't afford to lose anyone else," freshman Kim Thrasher said.

Thrasher placed second in the all-around competition with 36.85, not far behind IUP's Michelle Goodwin who scored 37.20. UNC's Angela Denkins placed third with a score of 36.75.

On the balance beam, IUP's Goodwin scored a 9.50 to place first. Penn State's freshman Janice Rogers scored a 9.3 and placed second. For third place, sophomore Kira Rohm tied her season best score of 9.0.

Both Rohm and Thrasher hit their season bests on the uneven bars with identical scores of 9.45. Rogers took third place with a 9.15.

"Our balance beam routines were very shaky and there was no excuse for that because we've been working hard on beam and we know that we can do better," Avener said.

UNC's Denkins took first place on vault with a score of 9.65. Penn State's Thrasher took second place with a season-high 9.50.

"In vaulting, we just took the difficulty out because we saw that we weren't going to be sharp and we didn't want to risk anyone stubbing their toe or anything. We need to put the difficulty back in," Avener said.

On the floor exercise, Thrasher took fourth place behind UNC's Denkins and IUP's Goodwin and Rose Johnson. Thrasher also won the Ann Carr award for being the most inspirational gymnast at the meet.

"It was a big surprise," Thrasher said. "It was a big honor for me being a freshman and being only my second time in Rec Hall."

"She did a terrific job and I was glad to see her get it," Avener said.

The tri-meet was held at Rec Hall on Friday night as part of a special Winter Sports Weekend to celebrate Penn State's 25th Anniversary of Women's Sports.