Gymwomen edged at Big Tens

By GWENN MILLER
Collegian Staff Writer

It was a mere seven and a half tenths of a point that separated first and second place at Saturday's Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships.

Unfortunately for the Lady Lions, they were the ones with the missing seven and a half tenths. They finished second to Michigan by a final score of 196.3-195.55.

As expected, Michigan and Penn State battled for the title throughout the meet with the Lions actually leading going into the final rotation. But like last year's meet, their grasp on the championship loosened and was eventually lost during the last event. In 1998, the team's downfall was the vault. This year, it was the balance beam.

"Obviously we're disappointed," sophomore Gemma Cuff said. "We were all so psyched after the first three events."

Sophomore Maria Taylor, who was competing with a broken toe, led off for Penn State on the beam and scored a 9.75. Junior Ashley Wilson was second in the rotation and turned in another solid performance. But the streak of good scores was broken when Nikki Bongiovanni and Ellen Casey fell during their routines. Even though Nikki Smith and Missy Leopoldus followed and hit their routines, it was not enough to take home the title.

"We are a better team than that, so we're a little disappointed," coach Steve Shephard said.

Casey finished second on the floor exercise with a 9.9, which was the highest individual placing by Penn State. The best event for the Lions was the uneven bars, where Smith and Cuff both scored a 9.875 to lead the team. Leopoldus finished third in the all-around competition with a 39.225 and Smith was fourth with a 39.15.

Although the Lions did not perform up to their usual standards this weekend, their efforts over the course of the season were not overlooked.

Bongiovanni was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Casey earned the honor of Big Ten Gymnast of the Year. Shephard was named Big Ten Coach of the Year along with Michigan's Beverly Plocki. Casey, Smith, Leopoldus and Cuff were named to the All-Big Ten team.

Even though the team did not achieve one of its major goals, it is not disappointed with the season as a whole. And there are still two more meets on the schedule. On April 10, the Lions will have the chance to defend their string of Regional titles at Rec Hall.