Dukes fall to Temple
by Kelly Scott / staff writer
The JMU men's gymnastics missed stealing a victory over Temple
by only about 16 points, yet their individual scores greatly improved
in comparison to the last two meets.
Senior Nick Blanton helped lead the Dukes by receiving a score of
at least an 8.00 in five of his six events. Blanton also received
the best all-around standings with a total score of 48.15, topping
Travis Kitchen from Temple, who totaled 45.20.
Both senior Luke Edstrom and sophomore Jason Woodnick scored above
an 8.00 in their two events, including the floor exercise and vault.
Freshman Lucas Buchholz earned three scores above a 7.00 in three
of his four events, improving his still rings score by two points
from the last meet at the Navy Open.
The Dukes have not placed first in their past three meets, but their
total team score keeps rising.
Coach Roger Burke said, "We had a few performances which were
not up to the speed of what the guys have been producing daily in
the gym. However, there were many which far exceeded our expectations."
Junior Joshua Goodwin said, "We still have a whole lot of improvements
left to make. But the potential is great, and that could only mean
that we will continue to improve as the season continues."
Some members of the team have been under the weather or injured,
including a chest injury for Edstrom, who hopes to compete in a
total of five events again in a couple weeks.
"I feel that only good things are gonna happen in the near
future for this team," Edstrom said. "Although relatively
young, [we have] what it takes in senior leadership to turn this
season into something really special for JMU."
Burke said, "Our biggest strength and weakness at this time
is our youth. More than half of the team is new to JMU and
collegiate gymnastics. The new guys bring enthusiasm and inexperience,
both of which require time to change [them] into mature, composed
and highly skilled collegiate athletes."
The men's 15-member team currently carries eight freshman and
three sophomores.
Freshman Brett Wargo said of the switch from high school, "I
was a little nervous at the beginning of the first meet because
i knew that there were guys out there doing routines that i can
only dream about at this point. It's intimidating, but I think
it'll get easier."
Edstrom said, "The next few meets for JMU really look promising
for the Dukes with the return of sophomore standout Jason Woodnick
returning to the lineup as well as myself, which should boost up
our score to a competitive stature with the best in the NCAA."
Among other accolades, Woodnick came to JMU last year as the Maryland
State All-Around Champion three years in a row while in high school.
Considering the upcoming meets, Wargo said, "I think we have
a tough meet coming up against Navy and William &Mary next weekend
and then a succession of other pretty tough meets after that. At
this point, we're not thinking about the other teams and what
they're doing. I think the focus in the gym is where can we
improve upon our score."
Burke said, "Another meet is another opportunity to dipslay
improvement. We are focusing on solidifying our routines and
are looking forward to displaying that improvement on Saturday at
7p.m."
The men's team faces William & Mary and the U.S. Naval
Academy Saturday at 7p.m . in Godwin's Sinclair Gymnasium.
|
