Last night proved to not be the ending that two Penn State gymnasts had in mind.

Seniors Katie Rowland and Katie McAvoy failed to qualify for the national finals in their respective events at the 2003 NCAA Women's Gymnastics National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska.

"I am really proud of the effort they put into gymnastics at Penn State," Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard said. "Overall, I am very proud of them and what they have contributed to the program."

Rowland, the 2003 Big Ten gymnast of the year, who had qualified in the floor exercise and vault at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship finished with a 9.850 on floor and a 9.825 on vault, good enough for a ninth and 16th-place respectively.

"I did a really good floor routine, but didn't get the score I wanted," Rowland said. "I didn't do as good as I wanted to on vault, though."

McAvoy, who had qualified in the all-around at the Northeast Regional, finished with a 38.050, which placed her in 17th-place. Her best score came on bars with a 9.750. She also posted scores of 9.725 on floor, 9.575 on vault, and 9.000 on beam.

"It was not one of my best performances," McAvoy said. "Without my team, it was like I was blind. I was missing so much emotional and mental aspects."

Since Penn State did not qualify as a team, Rowland and McAvoy had to tag along with other teams competing. McAvoy was placed with the University of Florida, while Rowland was with the University of Auburn.

"They [Florida] cheered for me while I was competing," McAvoy said. "Then I cheered for them. They are nice girls, but it is a lot different than having your own team cheer for you."

Once the results were tabulated, the Canadian duo shed a few tears because they knew that their careers at Penn State had come to an end.

"I started getting emotional, but I tried to stay positive," Rowland said. "I don't think it has hit home yet."