Just five days after securing a home win over conference rival North Carolina, the Terrapins gymnastics team will try to capture the same success in Chapel Hill, N.C., today.
The Terps (6-4, 2-1 EAGL) are coming off a season-best 194.475-point performance last weekend. Junior Ally Krikorian led the team with a first-place finish on vault and a second-place finish on floor, while sophomore Katy Dodds placed first on floor and second on vault.
Coach Brett Nelligan was impressed by his team’s performance last week and expects the group to carry over their strong performance in their upcoming meet.
“We’re not changing anything,” he said. “We did a great job last week. We competed strong and were confident in all our events. If we do the same things, we are expecting the same outcome.”
Freshman Stephanie Giameo continued a sensational rookie campaign last week, winning gold on beam with a career-best 9.825.
“Steph has been huge,” Nelligan said. “We knew she was a great gymnast through the recruiting process, but she has blown all of us away through her performance. Right now we have her in the leadoff position, and she sets the tone for the whole team. It is extremely amazing and impressive to have that kind of confidence and poise as a freshman.”
Nelligan acknowledged the rivalry between the Terps and the Tar Heels (7-1, 1-1), but said he believes his team has to think of tonight’s meet as they would any other this season.
The Terps are coming off their best win of the season over a previously undefeated North Carolina squad. However, regardless of that success, Nelligan remains steadfast that his team has to continue to be modest and determined.
“After a win, I tell the team to enjoy it for the entire next day, but, the following day at practice we are back to work,” he said. “That’s our motto. We call that hungry and humble. We always train as if we haven’t won anything and we still have something to prove.”
sports@umdbk.com
