The scores weren't official and the stakes weren't high, but the Terrapin gymnastics team had plenty to compete for Friday night during its annual Red vs. Black intrasquad scrimmage.
"It's the first time our fans get to see the 2010-11 team," coach Brett Nelligan said shortly after the Black squad secured victory. "Plus, it's the last chance for the squad to practice in front of a crowd before the [regular] season starts."
Competing in front of more than 100 fans inside Comcast Center Pavilion, the Terps wasted little time pulling in perfect scores from the judging panel, composed of six student-athletes spanning five varsity sports.
During the first rotation, sophomore Black squad member Ally Krikorian scored the night's first 10.0 for her vault performance. In a quick bounce back for the Red squad, junior Kyra Phillips and freshman Katy Dodds earned scores of 9.90 and 9.80, respectively, narrowing the Black team's lead.
The Black squad began to pull away in the second rotation, when sophomore Kesley Cofsky and senior Abbey Adams delivered perfect scores on the uneven bars.
The two former All-East Atlantic Gymnastics League performers continued their dominance on the floor, combining with Krikorian to give Black three straight scores of 9.90 or higher.
"That performance on floor just proves that these girls are ready," Nelligan said. "If today was the start of the regular season, they'd be ready to compete."
In the end, seven perfect scores from the Black squad trio of Cofsky, Adams and Krikorian proved too much for Red in the 147.650-138.000 victory.
"Tonight helped us build confidence," said Cofsky, whose all-around score of 39.65 led the meet. "I think we're ahead of where we were last year at this time, which gives us confidence heading into meets that count."
With less than a month remaining before their season-opening meet at Kent State on Jan. 9, the Terps aren't about to rest on their laurels.
"We'll take a small break for Christmas, but we'll be back in the gym Dec. 27," Nelligan said. "We can't let up now."
TERP NOTE: Freshman Karen Tang sat out the meet with an injured knee. Her absence gave the Black squad one more competitor than the Red squad.
letourneau@umdbk.com
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