March 3, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's gymnastics team (8-10) posted a respectable 188.600 to defeat Rhode Island (187.625) in a dual-meet this afternoon, Saturday March 3 in McGonigle Hall. The competition, which also marked the final home meet for the season, also honored five incredible senior student-athletes.

The Owls got off to a solid start on vault, led by senior Noelle Moore's high and tight tucked Tsuk-full (9.675). Juniors Desiree Meredith and Nicole Catrambone popped clean layout Tsuk's for 9.575 and 9.525, respectively. Senior Jillian Kornett and freshman Tiffany Shephard showed excellent layout Yurchenko's for 9.600 and 9.450.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island got off to a slow start on the uneven bars, but rallied at the end, led by Kelly Gurney's 9.725 (high double layout dismount). After the first rotation, Temple held a comfortable lead of 47.825-46.850.

Temple then moved to bars, and was led off by sophomore Christine McNeill's 9.600 (nice healy to straddle back handstand). Following McNeill was Kornett, who didn't let a clipped heel (after piked jaeger) slow her down. Kornett fought her way through the mishap without breaking rhythm, but landed low on a double tuck dismount and had to lunge forward. Catrambone put on her fighting gloves as well, and powered through a front giant-healy-straddle back handstand. Sophomore Natasha Crawford swung a clean giant blind-immediate full pirouette to jaeger for a 9.500. Senior Sarah Liebowitz caught a clean reverse hecht, and stood up her double layout dismount for a solid 9.500 score, as well. The Owls also had two gymnasts compete exhibition, with Shephard and senior Donna Crowell both catching nice high Geinger release moves.

After 2 rotations, the Owls held onto the lead, but found the Rams of Rhode Island nipping at their heels with a 94.325 to Temple's 94.800.

The Owls moved to balance beam and were led off with a fall from Kornett (back tuck). The women kicked it into high gear, and turned in four solid beam performances from Liebowtiz (straddle jump-back tuck; 9.375), freshman Nina Oteri (rudi dismount; 9.400), sophomore Winter Sneed (solid bhs-bhs-lo; 9.525), and Crawford (bhs-lo; 9.575). Moore couldn't keep the momentum going, and slipped off after a difficult gainer bhs-bhs-lo combination. Competing exhibition for the Owls were Debbie DiPrima (nice jumps) and freshman Evelyn Lespinasse (intricate back tuck to immediate 1 arm flip flop).

Lespinasse, who was making her debut as an Owl today, felt pretty good about her exhibition routine. "It was nice to finally get out there and compete," said Lespinasse.

"It was comforting to see those four gymnasts come out and hit beam after Jillian fell. It just goes to show that this team has each other's back when someone makes a mistake," said first-year head coach Aaron Murphy.

Regardless of having to count the fall on beam, the Owls held onto a .35 lead heading into the final rotation of the afternoon. After Shephard faltered on her final tumbling pass (8.650), Liebowitz and Sneed blasted huge double pikes for scores of 9.425 and 9.500, respectively. Sneed, who made her home debut on the floor exercise, drew both the crowd and judges in with her explosive personality and commanding dance moves. Sophomore Nikki Berrian fought to stay in bounds for a 9.150, as did Kornett (sky-high double pike; 9.250). Competing for her last time at home for the Owls, Moore brought back her difficult front 2/1-punch front middle pass, en route to a 9.600.

While it was a bit of a shaky day for the Owls, they still came out with a very strong score, one that should keep them in the top of the pack in a very competitive ECAC conference.

Following the competition, five senior student-athletes were honored by their teammates and coaches, in what was truly an emotional part of the afternoon. All five girls have been leaders inside and outside of the gym; in workouts, academics, and overall team spirit. We caught up with them after the meet to get some final reactions:

Allison Williams (Criminal Justice): "I had four great years with Temple gymnastics. I would have loved to finish out my senior year, but the injuries were just too much to come back from. What I do know is that each and every one of these girls is like family to me, and I'm so thankful for that."

Donna Crowell (Criminal Justice): "We've all grown so close over the years. While I know we'll keep in touch and see each other, it'll be tough not to see them in the gym everyday."

Noelle Moore (Therapeutic Recreation): "When I first came to Temple, I was so quiet and shy. These girls took me in as family, and always encouraged me to be at my best. I love them for that."

Sarah Liebowitz (Advertising): These were by far the best four years of my life. Every one of these girls made each day feel so special. We're truly a family."

Jillian Kornett (Kinesiology/Exercise Science): "I'm so proud to be a part of such a special group of girls at Temple gymnastics. Knowing that they've been behind me through all of the ups and downs, and through all of the aches and pains, is something that I will cherish for my entire life."

The Owls will have to look past these emotions as they gear up for the final month of the regular season. They have two tough challenges ahead of them this week, as they take on West Chester on Thursday night at 6:00pm, and then travel to conference-rival Cornell on Saturday March 10 for a 1:00pm start.