The 2015 season was the Terrapins gymnastics team’s first year in the Big Ten after spending 18 in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League. At first, the Terps struggled competing in new venues in front of raucous fans.
They started off 1-5 and only broke 195 points once during their first five meets. But the team eventually hit its stride, posting a season-high 196.075 at the Big Ten Championship before finishing third at the NCAA regional tournament at Auburn, Alabama, the team’s strongest finish under coach Brett Nelligan and best since 2001.
“I think a lot of other Big Ten schools doubted us last year,” senior Kathy Tang said. “But we came out strong.”
Now with a year of experience in the conference, the Terps are confident they’ll improve on some of last season’s weaknesses and continue to make strides this season.
“There’s just something about being comfortable in the arenas and with your opponents,” Nelligan said. “When you’re calm, you compete better. Just having that one year under our belt is going to be really helpful.”
Nelligan emphasized the Terps’ need for improvement on the balance beam, as it was the team’s lowest scoring event last season.
Plus, Stephanie Giameo, who compiled the highest average score on the beam, has graduated. Shannon Skochko and Dani Kram, also contributors on the balance beam, have graduated as well.
Tang will be one of the gymnasts expected to step up for the Terps and fill a spot on beam, an event she competed on previously. She didn’t compete much in the event last year, but believes the time off will benefit her.
“What I need most is the pressure from doing it in front of fans,” Tang said. “All I need is more practice with that kind of environment.”
Nelligan, though, said he isn’t too worried about the event, especially after Saturday’s annual intrasquad Red vs. Black event. Three Terps fell during their beam routine, but Nelligan pointed out that eight gymnasts performed.
“If we just make the right lineup decisions heading into that first meet,” he said, “I think we’re going to be OK.”
Tang and sophomore Abbie Epperson headline the Terps’ group of returners, as both were named to the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List. With Tang adding the balance beam to her repertoire, she appears poised to compete in the All-Around, something she did her freshman and sophomore seasons but no Terp did last year.
In Saturday’s scrimmage, Tang was the lone Terp in the All-Around category.
“I think Kathy knows it’s her senior year and she wants it to be something special,” Nelligan said. “She looks phenomenal, I definitely hope she can do the All-Around this year.”
Epperson sat out Saturday due to a rib injury, though Nelligan said the team was just being cautious. She is expected to be ready for the start of regular season.
Last campaign, Epperson’s season-high scores of 9.9 on vault and uneven bars were among the teams’ best.
The Terps have five freshmen this season, and after impressing Nelligan in practice, all five put in a strong performance in their first competitive environment Saturday.
“They looked good in the gym, but you never know what it’s going to be like when you have the bright lights and the pressure,” Nelligan said. “And I was really impressed, they rose to the occasion.”
After taking some time to get acclimated to the Big Ten, the Terps hope to improve in their second season. With a revamped cast on the beam and a slew of returning starters, they hope to take advantage of their year of experience.
“We were very underestimated,” Tang said. “We have lot of talented new girls and a lot more girls on each event so we’re going to come out even stronger this year.”
