MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 18 West Virginia gymnastics team opens its East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) season at No. 10 NC State on Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., at Reynolds Coliseum, in Raleigh, N. C.
The meet is the Mountaineers’ (2-1) third in seven days, as well as their third against a ranked opponent this season. Additionally, Friday’s meeting will serve as the league opener for both teams.
“It has been a really short week, but we have had two good practices and I think we addressed some of our problems from the last meet,” says 37-year coach Linda Burdette-Good. “Our team is very focused, and we’re looking for a lot of improvement and confidence in the routines.”
WVU owns a 22-12 all-time record over the Wolfpack (0-1), including a 194.0-193.225 regular-season victory last year. Though NCSU edged the Mountaineers at the 2010 EAGL Championship (195.7-195.075) and finished in second place, WVU got the last word, finishing fourth (195.1) at the 2010 NCAA Southeast Regional Championships and ahead of the sixth-place Wolfpack (193.425).
“NC State is always very competitive and fields a good team yearly,” Burdette-Good says. “Hopefully, tomorrow’s meet will bring the best out of both squads. The Mountaineers always compete stronger when they face an EAGL foe.”
The two squads have shared time at the top of the EAGL over the last decade, winning a combined six league titles since 2000. NCSU last claimed the league crown in 2009, while WVU secured its sixth and last title in 2008.
Over the last four years, WVU has not lost more than two league meets in a season, including championship action. The Mountaineers finished the 2010 season with a 12-2 conference record and went 10-2 in league meets in 2009. WVU owns a 251-62-3 (.799) all-time record against current conference opponents and hasn’t gone more than four years without winning an EAGL Championship.
WVU looks to rebound Friday after dropping a 196.725-192.125 decision at No. 5 Georgia on Jan. 17. The Mountaineers were swept by the Gym Dogs in each event.
Seniorscored 39.0, her second 39.0-plus score of the season, and finished third overall. The Nanticoke, Pa., native pushed her career point total to 1,590.675, and she now needs 14.426 points to pass Karla Hairston (1993-96) for 14th place on the all-time WVU career points list.
Freshmancontinued her strong rookie campaign at UGA and finished second on vault with a 9.8 score. The Cornwall, N.Y., native also scored 9.85 on floor, the meet’s third-best mark, and finished fourth overall. In three career meets, she has scored 9.8 or better on seven of nine routines.
For her efforts at UGA and in the Mountaineers’ Jan. 14 victory over Michigan State, she earned her second straight EAGL Specialist and Rookie of the Week honors.
The Wolpack also enter the meet after a loss, as they fell, 196.175-195.15, to then-No. 4 Oklahoma, in their Jan. 14 season opener at Reynolds Coliseum.
Freshman Stephanie Ouellette scored 38.975 and finished first overall. She also tied teammate Jess Panza for first place on floor with matching 9.85 scores.
Fans wishing to follow the Mountaineers in action Friday can watch a live stream and track live scores at www.GoPack.com.
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