Youthful gymnastics team eyeing more this season

With the addition of six freshmen and the presence of a mere two seniors on its 16-woman roster, the Terrapins gymnastics team, led by coach Brett Nelligan, is seeking to thrive on youth and talent over experience this season.

"We were older, more mature and heavier in the senior class last season," Nelligan said at the Terps' Red vs. Black intrasquad scrimmage Friday. "But our young kids just have to get out in front of the crowd."

Key freshmen include Emily Heller, the 2011 Maryland Gymnast of the Year; Stephanie Giameo, a sixth-place finisher on the balance beam at the 2011 Level 10 Nationals; and Elizabeth Ann Garcia, a fourth-place finisher on the bars at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2010.

The Terps finished last season 17-5 overall and 8-0 in the EAGL, the first time the team has gone undefeated in conference play in its 35-year history. The squad also placed third at the EAGL Championships and fifth at NCAA Regionals while finishing the season ranked 28th nationally.

Yet despite last season's achievements, Nelligan expects nothing less than the continuation of that success.

"Our expectations as a team are to improve every year," he said. "We had a great year last year, but our attitude is that we're going to have an even better one this year."

Returning for the Terps are sophomores Katy Dodds and Elizabethe Manzi, both of whom took on big roles last season following the loss of highly touted recruits Ebony Walters and Karen Tang to injury. Both gymnasts emerged as dominant forces in the EAGL, as Dodds finished second in the conference in vault, while Manzi placed eighth in the conference in balance beam. Junior Ally Krikorian, a first-team All-EAGL member last season, is also returning.

In addition to the success the team had in competition last season, the Terps also raked in record-breaking crowds, including more than 1,249 in attendance for senior night.

The sheer size of the crowds that attend the meets has forced the school to put all five of the team's regular-season meets onto the main floor of Comcast Center, as opposed to their usual home floor in Comcast Pavilion.

"We're just too big for the Pavilion," Nelligan said.

The team sees the crowds as a chance to display their talent.

"We want to show people we are good and can be one of the top teams at the university," Krikorian said. "Being on the main court definitely helps us do this and gives us confidence."

Nelligan said that along with last year's success, the large growth in the crowds for the team's meets can also be attributed to better marketing.

"We have legitimately stepped up our marketing efforts by reaching out the community, the local gym clubs and elementary schools," Nelligan said.

With a widening fan base and a combination of returning and incoming talent, Nelligan sees his program continuing to rise this season.

"The fact is all of these things blend together," he said. "When you have bigger crowds it leads to better results, better scoring, more confidence and success."

The team's first regular-season meet will be Jan. 8 against West Virginia and Penn State in Morgantown, W.Va.

dpopper@umdbk.com