Temple University Athletics
Women's Gymnastics’ Long Ride Comes to Conclusion
1.23.16 | Women's Gymnastics
SOMERSET, Pa.- The Temple women's gymnastics team had a road trip it will never forget, and one that will go down in Pennsylvania weather history.
The Owls left campus Friday on their charter bus for what should be a relatively easy five-plus hour trip to Pittsburgh for a Saturday meet hosted by the Panthers. Eighty miles from its destination, however, the Temple team's trip was stalled -- for nearly 27 hours due to Winter Storm Jonas.
The Temple bus was one of approximately 500 vehicles, along with the bus carrying the Duquesne Men's Basketball team, stranded on a 40-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Bedford and Somerset, Pa.
"I am really proud of our young women as we made the best of a bad situation," said first-year head coach Umme Salim-Beasley.
The team killed time in their confined home by sleeping, watching movies, playing card games and singing.
Thankfully the bus was stocked with plenty of snacks to get the 14 student-athletes, three coaches and an athletic trainer through the ordeal. The Owls also received a much-welcome assist from local and state authorities.
"I want to thank the firefighters from the New Baltimore Fire Department for checking on us, as well as all of the stranded motorists, and delivering a case of water" said Salim-Beasley. "Also the Pennsylvania State Troopers who brought us food. The support and kindness was greatly appreciated."
The bus finally started moving after guardrails were removed to allow the bus to move to turn around.
Following a night in the comforts of a hotel in Somerset, Pa., the team plans to journey back to campus Sunday, weather permitting.
The team is back in action this Friday (Jan. 29) at West Chester (7 pm).
The Owls left campus Friday on their charter bus for what should be a relatively easy five-plus hour trip to Pittsburgh for a Saturday meet hosted by the Panthers. Eighty miles from its destination, however, the Temple team's trip was stalled -- for nearly 27 hours due to Winter Storm Jonas.
The Temple bus was one of approximately 500 vehicles, along with the bus carrying the Duquesne Men's Basketball team, stranded on a 40-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Bedford and Somerset, Pa.
"I am really proud of our young women as we made the best of a bad situation," said first-year head coach Umme Salim-Beasley.
The team killed time in their confined home by sleeping, watching movies, playing card games and singing.
Thankfully the bus was stocked with plenty of snacks to get the 14 student-athletes, three coaches and an athletic trainer through the ordeal. The Owls also received a much-welcome assist from local and state authorities.
"I want to thank the firefighters from the New Baltimore Fire Department for checking on us, as well as all of the stranded motorists, and delivering a case of water" said Salim-Beasley. "Also the Pennsylvania State Troopers who brought us food. The support and kindness was greatly appreciated."
The bus finally started moving after guardrails were removed to allow the bus to move to turn around.
Following a night in the comforts of a hotel in Somerset, Pa., the team plans to journey back to campus Sunday, weather permitting.
The team is back in action this Friday (Jan. 29) at West Chester (7 pm).
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