For the first time in two years, Rec Hall will play host to a postseason women's gymnastics meet. Six teams will compete at 6 p.m. tomorrow with the ultimate goal being a berth to the NCAA Championships April 19-21 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The top two teams will advance to the championship, in addition to the top two all-arounders that are not on a qualifying team. In addition, any gymnast that finishes first in an event, and who is not part of a qualifying team, will advance to the championship in that event only.

Michigan (25-3)

The No.5 Wolverines are coming off their fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship with a 196.475, and look to qualify to their tenth NCAA Championship with a win on Saturday. Michigan has claimed five regional titles in their history.

The sophomore duo of Calli Ryals and Elise Ray, currently ranked one and two in the nation in the all-around, will be the leaders for the Wolverines.

Nebraska (14-2)

The No. 8 Cornhuskers, the Big 12 champions, are at the top of their game this season, and hope for their third consecutive regional title. Nebraska brings with it Richelle Simpson and Tami Harris, both of who are currently ranked No. 16 in the nation.

"We will be doing the same types of things we've been doing all year," Nebraska coach Dan Kendig said about competing in the regional tournament. "Our goal is to hit 24 of 24 routines. I think a lot of it is that we've been as consistent as we have from the very beginning. We started off hitting routines and stayed consistent through all of the season."

Iowa (8-8)

After finishing third at the Big Ten Championships, No.16 Iowa will look to knock off Michigan and Nebraska to advance as a team to the NCAA Championships.

"We know if Nebraska and Michigan hit we'll be number three, but if either cracks, we want to be at the door," Iowa coach Mike Lorenzen said.

The Hawkeyes will look to sophomore Alexis Maday to score big for the team. Maday is currently ranked No. 14 in the nation and finished first on floor at the Big Ten Championships.

Penn State (6-16)

The Nittany Lions season has been filled with injury. Senior Nikki Bongiovanni has been out all season due to a shoulder injury, and freshman Kate Stopper had been out up until the Big Ten Championships March 23 due to a toe injury. In addition, junior all-arounder Katie McAvoy sprained her left ankle during Penn State's last home meet against West Virginia March 16. While McAvoy was out for Big Ten's she will return for Regionals on bars. The Lions will look to junior all-arounder Katie Rowland, the reigning Big Ten all-around champion, to score this weekend. Rowland is currently ranked seventh in the nation in the all-around.

"We've been faced with a lot of adversity, but we have such a strong team this year," Rowland said. "We're hanging in there, and hopefully we'll put together a strong meet this weekend."

Pittsburgh (10-16)

The Panthers look to better their sixth place finish at the EAGL Championships in March with a top two finish Saturday. This is the squad's first regional appearance in two years, a meet the Panthers have never won.

Sophomore Diandra O'Connor, and senior Raya Mullin will lead the squad in its quest for an NCAA Championship berth. O'Connor finished seventh in the all-around at the EAGL meet with a score of 39.150, the tenth best all-around score in Pittsburgh history. In addition, she garnered All-EAGL team honors on floor and beam. Mullin is the reigning bars champion, and received All-EAGL team recognition on that event.

George Washington (17-11)

The Colonials look to ride the momentum from their fifth consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship for a possible berth in the NCAA Championships. The squad scored a 196.375, setting both the school record and the conference record in the all-around. The Colonials are ranked No. 22 on floor and No. 25 on beam nationally.

Additionally, senior Devin McCalla had a record-breaking performance in the championships, and is ranked No. 15 in the all-around. McCalla broke the school record in the all-around with a 39.675, and also claimed first place on beam with a record 10.00, and vault with a 9.875.

Individuals Competing

Five all-around competitors not on a regional qualifying team will also compete this weekend, along with one event specialist on each apparatus.

Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard is excited that his team will have the added benefit of competing at home, but also says that he believes the atmosphere at Rec Hall will make this weekend a great meet for all teams involved.