Seniors take last home meet

By GEOFFREY MOSHER
Collegian Sports Writer

A sign hung over the railing at Rec Hall on the east side of the bleachers on Saturday: "Penn State Gymnastics 1992-1995. Thanks for the wonderful memories. 'Special K's -- Karen, Kerry, & Kerner.' We'll miss you."

Senior tri-captain Tracy Kerner wanted to shine a bit brighter in her last meet at Rec Hall, but fell twice.

She said the falls did not upset her, and in her final floor exercise performance in Rec Hall she scored a 9.725, guiding her team to victory.

"I was nervous, but not more than usual," she said. "I wanted (the floor exercise) to last forever."

No. 8 Penn State (10-3, 4-1 Big Ten) crushed Michigan State (13-4, 3-3) on Saturday 192.525-189.875 in a conference double-dual matchup.

It was an emotional night, especially for Lady Lion Coach Steve Shephard.

"It's like another extended family," he said of seniors Kerner, Kerry Slattery and Karen Cimochowski. "They have been such a positive influence on the program that you hate to see them leave."

Despite Kerner's less-than-perfect night, she said she enjoyed her last home meet and will miss the Rec Hall atmosphere.

"I wanted to go out there and have a good performance," she said. "(Rec Hall) will always have a special place in my heart."

Kerner fell off the uneven bars (9.1) and the balance beam (9.2), but scored well on floor (9.725).

Tri-captain Slattery performed well in her last night at Rec Hall. For the first time this year, Slattery competed in the all-around. She struggled with her landings on vault (9.05) and fell during floor (9.15), but found her strength on bars (9.675) and beam (9.55).

"I was really anxious that the coaches gave me a chance on vault," she said. "It definitely felt good to get in all four events for the team."

Tri-captain Cimochowski left Rec Hall with tears in her eyes. "Cimo" placed first on vault (9.825) and finished fourth on bars (9.675).

"I think I did well," she said."It was a very emotional night."

Despite being a night for the seniors, the show was stolen by the younger Lady Lions.

Freshman all-arounder Joanna Knox continued to perform consistently, scoring 9.725 on vault, 9.675 on bars, 9.7 on beam and 9.8 on floor. Her scores were good enough for a first-place finish in the all-around competition (38.9).

"I really feel good about tonight's performance," she said. "(Winning the all-around) makes me feel good -- but I'm out for the team."

Junior Bridget Foley also put in a solid performance.

Foley placed first on bars (9.85), beam (9.825) and floor (9.875). She earned the Ann Carr Award for the most inspirational performance after her crowd-pleasing floor routine.

"I felt really good," she said. "I'm really psyched we did so well in the last senior meet."

Freshman Carey Hoyt was called upon to replace freshman Liz Agnew who is out because of mononucleosis. In her first floor performance of the season, Hoyt scored a 9.125, but found more success on vault (9.7).

"My preparation was a little bit rusted," Hoyt said of her floor routine. "I like to vault better --it's more fun to perform."