Christmas music reverberated around the gym to set the tone for the Maryland women’s gymnastics team’s Tuesday practice as it prepared for the annual Red vs. Black intrasquad meet.
“Get it, Terps!” the gymnasts yelled during practice. “Keep it up, A-Rob!” some shouted as sophomore Alex Robinson worked on a floor routine.
Maryland was jovial in anticipation of the meet Friday at Xfinity Center. The squad took turns practicing routines as teammates encouraged them.
Coach Brett Nelligan said the high intensity at practice is intentional. The mock meet helps the Terps prepare for the regular season.
“Meets are going to be intense no matter what,” Nelligan said. “There’s no way to take the pressure down. The only way to replicate that is to crank the intensity up in the gym.”
“This is a great way to go into our winter break and end off our preseason,” senior Sarah Faller added, “and as soon as we get back from break it’s go, go, go.”
The Terps had an intrasquad meet in November that was closed to the public, with judges to critique the difficulty and execution.
However, the Red vs. Black meet “is a lot of fun,” Nelligan said, because “celebrity judges” — other Maryland athletes — preside over the competition.
Although Friday’s meet will be less stressful than the regular season, Nelligan emphasized his team’s opportunity to learn.
“I’m looking for not just routines, but performances,” the eighth-year coach said. “This is everyone’s chance to get out there and earn their spot for the season.”
Last season, the Terps failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2010.
“I told the team, ‘Let’s look back and say that as bad as that hurt, it was the best thing that ever happened to us,'” Nelligan said. “It forced us to change — be aggressive, work harder, be more focused.”
Faller expects a better showing from the Terps this season.
“I have really high expectations, and I think a lot of the team does, too,” the senior said. “We always want to set high standards for ourselves. I think we’ve just had so much depth this year — more than any other year I’ve been here.”
Faller has taken a leadership role on a team that features a six-member recruiting class Nelligan said brings “a new energy, intensity and work ethic.”
Freshman Kirsten Peterman, an Ontario native who competed at the international level, said she enjoys the team’s lively feel entering this weekend’s outing.
“We’re usually very loud and cheering each other on,” Peterman said. “It’s a lot easier when you’re sick or tired to get through practices and meets.”
