Owls Finish Fourth At USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate Championships :: Sarah Liebowitz, Noelle Moore and Christine McNeill each received All-American honors

April 19, 2007

SEATTLE, WA - The Temple women's gymnastics team finished fourth (187.500) in Thursday's USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate Championships opening preliminary round hosted by Seattle Pacific. Seniors Sarah Liebowitz (uneven bars), Noelle Moore (floor exercise) and sophomore Christine McNeill (uneven bars) were each tabbed with All-American recognition for their individual performances.

Top-seeded Towson (194.475) and Centenary (La.) (190.400) posted the top two scores and will advance to Friday's team finals while Rutgers (189.950) finished third. Texas Woman's, Cornell, William & Mary and Seattle Pacific will compete for the final two spots Thursday night (10:00 p.m. EST) in the second preliminary round.

The Cherry and White produced its best performance of the afternoon on the vault (48.150) and were led by Moore's team-best 9.700. Senior co-captain Jillian Kornett, junior Desiree Meredith and freshman Tiffany Shepherd posted identical scores of 9.625 while sophomore Natasha Crawford tallied a 9.425.

The Owls' uneven bars (47.350) attack was led by the All-American performances of McNeill (9.700) and Liebowitz (9.675). Sophomore Nikki Berrian turned in a 9.475 while Crawford posted a 9.450. Sophomore Nicole Catrambone rounded out first-year head coach Aaron Murphy beam rotation with a 9.050.

As Temple tallied a 47.175 team score in the floor exercise, Moore's near flawless 9.800 garnered her All-American recognition. Liebowitz tallied a solid 9.525 while Berrian produced an even 9.400. Sophomores Caitlin Egan (9.375) and Winter Sneed (9.075) completed the Cherry and White floor attack.

The Owls' lowest output of the session came on the balance beam (44.950) while Moore led all members of the Cherry and White with a 9.525. Crawford posted a 9.425 while freshman Nina Oteri an 8.950 in her first career postseason meet. Liebowitz and Meredith tallied identical scores of 8.525.

Although Temple's team competition for the 2007 season has come to an end, the Owls will remain on the west coast while Liebowitz, McNeill and Moore will compete in Saturday's individual finals scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (EST).