Temple University Athletics
2002-03 WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS OUTLOOK
12.10.02 | Women's Gymnastics
"We broke half of the school records last year. I think we have a great core of people coming back. The three seniors are really going to be the core of the whole program this year," said head coach Ken Anderson. "I think we might surprise a few people this year with how good we will be."
Uneven bars should once again be one of the best events for the Owls where junior Paige Ozaroski and senior Brynne Hillman return. Ozaroski posted a team-best 9.85 last year at Massachusetts, which tied a school record, and Hillman recorded a 9.8. The Owls also expect contributions from Amy Pinkerton on the bars. Pinkerton, who was hampered by a knee injury the past two seasons, figures to be at full strenghth for the 2003 campaign.
"She's actually a little powerhouse that has a lot of potential," Anderson said of Pinkerton. "She can help us step up what we're able to do."
The vaulting results from the past few years are indicative of the overall improvement in the program. Last year, the team broke the record three times, with the mark ultimately set at 48.075. Sophomore Lexi Zafferes figures to contribute in the vault, where she reached a 9.7 score last year. Anderson refers to Zafferes as surprising since she's "kind of a little looking girl, but she's got a lot of power, a lot of strength and is able to perform at a high quality on every event." Senior Andrea McGary also posted a high mark of 9.7 twice last season.
"Vaulting improved greatly in strength last year, and it is going to continue going that way," Anderson said. "Some of the freshmen coming in are going to be able to back up the ones that we have returning from last year, I think that we could even break that school record again this year."
The key to the Owls' continued turnaround may be in steadying floor exercise. Cicely Warrington, who qualified for the NCAA Regionals as an all-league performer last year, led the team with a career-high score of 9.925, a mark she set twice last season. The Owls should be aided by the return of Cheryl Cerminaro, who missed time last season with an ankle injury. Junior Jennifer Beaver also figures to contribute.
"We missed breaking the school record on the floor exercise by one-tenth of a point last year. It was a somewhat of an inconsistent event for us, though," said Anderson. "We're going to try and break that school record. We were just a tad away from it last year."
Though the Owls lose Maggie Tolerico, a co-captain and academic All-American last year, the balance beam should be a very strong event. Warrington set the school record with a 9.95 score in the Atlantic 10's last year. Erin Davis the 2002 Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year, returns for her sophomore campaign. Her 9.8 season-high in the event is the third-highest amongst returnees.
"Erin is a very classical and clean performer," said Anderson. "She also has the kind of strength in all four events that I think she could come in right behind Cicely Warrington with what she does."
Dedication is no stranger to the Temple's women's gymnastics team. The Owls strive to perform all the duties of the student-athlete. Last season, seven gymnasts achieved Academic All-American status.
Seven newcomers will add depth for the Owls. Sophomore twins Betsy and Katie Domenico bring a year of collegiate experience as transfers from Vermont. Freshmen Deirdre Mattocks, Jenny Blatt, Jeanne Roeser, Melissa Zaleski and Chrissy Zimmerman also figure to add depth to the team.
"This team has a big crew of hard workers that want to do well in gymnastics as well as school," said Anderson. "They are still pushing this year to be as good or better."
