Temple University Athletics
Women's Gymnastics Takes Third at Maryland Tri-Meet
3.7.09 | Women's Gymnastics
March 7, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore Katie Canning placed fifth in the all-around as the Temple women's gymnastics team finished third at the Maryland Tri-Meet on Friday evening.
Highly ranked North Carolina took first with a score of 195.775 , followed by host Maryland (194.300) and then the Cherry and White (188.150).
The Owls competed a small team of ten this weekend and the mistakes that were made were costly to the Owls.
Starting off on bars was sophomore Kathryn Ho, who was coming off a fantastic bar routine last weekend and should have led the Owls off strongly. Unfortuantely after a great first half, Ho fell on her last cast to handstand before her blind full double back dismount.
Freshman Kaity Watson, who has only been on bars once before this evening, nailed her routine for a solid 9.5 and smile from her teammates.
Canning continued the hit streak and made a great routine for a score of 9.6. And senior co-captain Natasha Crawford finished out the Owls bars with a fantastic double layout and a 9.7.
Beam was next up for the Owls and despite earlier season success, the beam squad fell apart for now three weeks in a row.
Fall after fall plagued the Owls on this event and only senior co-captain Sneed was able to stay on for a 9.45. This was Sneed's first beam routine stuck all season.
Undeterred by her teammates falls, freshman Watson exhibitioned a great beam routine to possibly earn her a spot in future meets.
"It comes down to confidence. I came into this meet today with more confidence than I have had all season in my girls. They looked great in practice, now they just have to take what they show me everyday and do it in competition, " said assistant coach Caitlin Council.
Floor proved to be better than the first two events but still some falls and sloppy tumbling passes were made.
Watson stepped up on floor for the first time since an ankle injury a couple of weeks ago and wowed the judges with her dancing and powerful twisting to earn her a season-high of a 9.625.
Not to be outdown by her classmate, freshman Corrine Williams hit an outstanding routine that started with a beautiful two and a half twist punch front pike and ended with a huge double full. Williams score a 9.75.
Canning came back from a fall on beam to hit a powerhouse floor routine, and looked like she had fun doing so with a smile on her face from start to finish. Canning scored a 9.8, which almost topped her season high of a 9.825.
The Owls finished out the meet on vault and had yet again some falls. Canning, Williams, Watson, and Sneed all hit their vaults while Crawford and Uscatu fell costing the Owls yet again to count another fall.
The Owls will travel to Cornell this coming weekend for possibly the Owls most important ECAC meet of the season.
