Scarlet Knights edge JMU at home
by Aaron Gray / staff writer
The JMU women's gymnastics squad dropped a close competition
to the visiting Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University Saturday,
190.6–188.725. Sophomore Erin Fitzgerald and junior Janelle
DiOrio led the Dukes in scoring, finishing third with a total score
of 37.750 and fourth with a total score of 36.925, respectively.
"We improved since our first meet this season, and I was very
pleased with that," captain Amy Keister, a senior, said. "We
all pulled together and did a great job."
In their last meet, the Dukes competed against Towson University
and Wilson College. A final score of 185.375 was good enough to
earn them second place. Fitzgerald finished fourth in the all-around
competition during that meet.
Saturday, though, the Dukes had their work cut out for them in the
floor exercise competition. Rutgers senior Courtney Turner set the
pace with an impressive routine that featured numerous back flips,
which scored her a 9.900. JMU sophomore Kati Elder presented an
outstanding performance as well, but came up short with a score
of 9.825, earning her second place in the event.
Fitzgerald was edged out in the balance beam competition by Rutgers
senior Katie Russo, who won the event with a score of 9.800. Fitzgerald
finished with a 9.750. Sophomore Jennifer Robinson and DiOrio rounded
out the top four in the event. With her teammates cheering, Elder
showed determination on the beam and finished with a score of 9.200.
The uneven parallel bars competition did not go in the Dukes'
favor. Rutgers juniors Bonnie Hart, Kristen Marino and senior Katie
Russo swept the event. Sophomore Nicole DiFilippo had a great performance,
capped off by a perfect landing. She finished fourth with a score
of 9.425.
Fitzgerald led the way for the Dukes again in the vault event, finishing
fourth with a score of 9.450. Keister was right behind her with
a score of 9.375.
"We felt a little tired out there," said Rutgers coach
Chrystal Chollet-Norton. "Overall, I think we did well. It's
still the beginning of the season." Rutgers is coming off its
fifth meet in the last two weeks.
"We've been competing against JMU for at least 10 years
now, and it is always a great competition."
JMU assistant coach Mary Catherine Gunter said, "The girls
kept their focus on their performances, and that's what we've
been working on. We want to improve from meet to meet."
The gymnastics team returns to action at home Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. when
the College of William & Mary comes to Godwin Hall.
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