DENTON, TX--The Temple women's gymnastics team placed fourth with a 191.900 score in the team finals of the 2003 USAG Collegiate National Championships on Friday, April 18.
Texas Woman's University started off on floor exercise with a school record 49.300 en route to its seventh USAG Collegiate title with a meet-record team score of 195.600. Two-time defending national champion Air Force came in second with a 192.850. Seattle Pacific University recorded a third place finish with a 192.400.
The Pioneers started the first rotation with their 49.300 on floor, which was the highest event score on the night. All six TWU gymnast turned in scores of 9.700 or better with all-around champion Luci Romberg pacing the field with a 9.900. Seattle Pacific recorded the next highest score on floor with a 49.150. TWU then recorded the highest vault score on the night in the second rotation when they turned in a 48.625, with SPU and Air Force tying in the second spot at 48.225.
Texas Woman's didn't let up in the third rotation, recording a 49.225 on uneven bars to lead all teams. Temple was the closest to the Pioneers with a 49.050. Erin MacNabb led TWU and the rest of the competitors when she tied her career best on bars with a 9.925. In the final rotation, the Pioneers ended the meet by taking their fourth event title on the night with a 48.450 on beam. Jessa Liegl helped lead Air Force to a team score of 47.450 on beam when she turned in a 9.900 to lead all other gymnasts.
Eighty men and women gymnasts will compete on Saturday, April 19 for individual national titles as the 2003 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships finishes up with the Event Finals at 5:00 p.m. in Kitty Magee Arena.
