Depleted gymwomen take last

By GEOFFREY MOSHER
Collegian Sports Writer

The Lady Lion gymnastics team didn't think that injuries would prevent it from winning. In fact, they knew injuries would create a problem.

The No. 9 Lady Lions (12-11) scored a season-low 151.575 and placed last, trailing No. 4 Michigan (18-2), who scored a season-high 197.225 points, North Carolina State (17-5) at 191.175 and Massachusetts (11-10) at 188.025, Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

An ankle injury to senior tri-captain Kerry Slattery and a torn anterior cruciate ligament in junior Bridget Foley's knee left the Lady Lions with low hopes. Then, a knee problem during the floor exercise kept senior tri-captain Tracy Kerner from competing on the balance beam and uneven bars.

Because of injuries, the team was only able to place three competitors on bars, four on the beam and four on floor. The usual number of competitors in each event is six per team.

Despite a roster of 17 gymnasts, Lady Lion Coach Steve Shephard said he was playing it safe and focusing more on getting healthy for the NCAA Northeast regionals on April 8 and the NCAA championships on April 22 instead of worrying about the Big Ten Championships next weekend.

"We're more concerned with regionals at this point," Shephard said. "We will try and do the best we can at Big Tens."

Despite the injuries, the Lady Lions tried to perform well at Michigan. But without the presence of the upperclassmen, they had difficulty maintaining a focus.

"(The meet) was pretty laid back," Kerner said. "It was a hard meet to stay positive about."

Although the meet may have lacked excitement, many Lady Lions made the best of it. Penn State showed confidence and resiliency, getting a solid performance from senior tri-captain Karen Cimochowski, who came up big on vault (9.85) and set a personal best on bars (9.8) -- scores which made her teammates proud.

"She did a great job," Kerner said. "Being the only senior is a hard position. She did a great job in keeping people motivated."

Several of the younger Lady Lions also performed solidly, especially sophomore Nicole Malinak, who scored a personal high (9.775) on the beam.

Freshman Christi Huch scored a 9.725 on vault, and classmate Joanna Knox placed fifth in the all-around with impressive scores on vault (9.725), bars (9.5), beam (9.8) and floor (9.575).

"It will help to have the freshmen strong," Huch said. "And everyone else strong will be a great asset."