Gymwomen want big wins

By GEOFFREY MOSHER
Collegian Sports Writer

The Lady Lion gymnastics team wants to score higher on the road and impress the judges, Assistant Coach Jessica Bastardi said. The team will have plenty of chances when they travel to West Virginia, Florida and Georgia.

The No. 8 Lady Lions (10-3) will take on the No. 18 Mountaineers (7-3) and Kent State (3-4) at 7:30 p.m. today in West Virginia. On Monday, the Lady Lions will meet No. 7 Florida (3-2) in Gainesville, Fla. Next weekend, the Lady Lions will travel to Georgia to take on the No. 1 Bulldogs (8-1).

Because of some disappointing away scores, Bastardi said the Lady Lions will be even more motivated to score more points.

"Our athletes want to do well at West Virginia . . . to redeem ourselves," she said. "We want to get some good away scores and move ourselves up in rank."

The team is no longer worried about difficulty ratings on its routines -- the main focus is on consistency and clean performances. Bastardi said the team is working hard on execution to make sure it doesn't give anything away to the judges.

"We feel, at this point in the season, we can afford to refine our cues -- not difficulty," she said.

West Virginia, undefeated against Penn State in the past two years, has high hopes of winning again. Mountaineer Coach Linda Burdette said past victories do not guarantee a victory, but they help.

"I don't think that it gives us more confidence," she said. "I think it just gives us an attitude that we can beat them."

Lady Lion tri-captain Kerry Slattery believes that history will not repeat itself. She is excited about the upcoming meet.

"I'm anxious to go in there and regain our title against West Virginia," the senior said. "This year, I expect us to go in and do a good job."

Slattery is also excited about Monday's meet against Florida. She said she is anxious to see Florida Coach Judy Avener, a former Penn State coach.