Gymwomen limp into meet with Buckeyes

By GWENN MILLER
Collegian Staff Writer

This will be no ordinary weekend for the Penn State women's gymnastics team.

Not only will the Lady Lions compete under a different format, but also there will be many changes in their lineup at 7 p.m. tomorrow when No. 15 Ohio State hosts No. 6 Penn State at St. John Arena in a double dual meet.

Double dual meets are also referred to as coed meets because both the men's and women's teams are competing at the same time in the same arena. This is the first double dual meet of the season for the Lions, and the new format is getting varied reactions.

"I have mixed feelings about them," Penn State coach Steve Shephard said. "We enjoy being with the guys' team, cheering them on and watching them compete. But a coed meet makes it hard on the audience because there is so much going on at one time."

While this will be an adjustment for the team, it is a relatively small one compared to the changes in the lineup. The Lions will be without not one, but two of their senior tri-captains.

At last Friday's meet, senior Missy Leopoldus suffered a mild concussion after she slipped while trying to land a tumbling pass. Although she is not lost for the season, it is uncertain whether she will even practice within the next week.

"It was a fluke accident and they happen every now and then," Leopoldus said. After the fall, Leopoldus said she knew that she would be OK and that it wasn't a matter of being injured for the rest of her life. However, she is still feeling the effects of the injury.

Leopoldus still has headaches and dizziness, which prevent her from doing much in a day's time.

"I'm just resting because I'm really not able to go to class," she said. "I do one big activity per day, like going to watch practice or to class."

Unfortunately for the team, the extent of the injuries does not end with Leopoldus.

"We're a little nicked up right now," Shephard said. "We are going to try to get some people healthy."

If any good can come out of the injuries, it is the fact that Penn State has the depth to fill in for the injured. The freshman and junior classes will play major roles in this weekend's meet.

Freshmen Nikki Bongiovanni and Jennifer Drilling will be increasing their share of competition, with both taking on added events. Juniors Ashley Wilson and Heather Duggan will be taking up additional responsibilities on the balance beam.

Due to sophomore Gemma Cuff's lower-leg problems, freshman E'Tona Ford will be taking her place on the vault. Ironically, Ford was injured earlier in the season and is recently back to full strength.

While the meet will bring new challenges, the team is trying to keep things in perspective.

Said Shephard: "Our main concern is for us to get some people healthy and post a good away score."