Dec. 7, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Red Team narrowly edged the Black Team as the Maryland gymnastics team kicked off the 2012-13 season with the annual Red and Black Intrasquad meet Friday. The Red team recorded a 109.725-109.475 victory at Comcast Pavilion as the Terps prepare for the season-opener.

“The judging part is just for fun,” said head coach Brett Nelligan. “Really for us, it’s getting them out in a meet situation, putting the pressure on and seeing how they react. I think they did a really great job. We hit all but one routine, so we’re really in great shape.”

The meet provided fans and supporters a chance to see the squad in action before the Terps open the season in Raleigh N.C., against NC State on Jan. 11.

The highlight of the evening was the floor routines in the final rotation of the evening. Five Terps received perfect scores from the judges. Sophomore Stephanie Giameo started the event strong, receiving a perfect score for the Black team. Sophomore Ebony Walters received a 10 for the Red team, earning a standing ovation for her performance.

Both teams opened on the vault. Senior Kesley Cofsky and freshman Kathy Tang posted 10s for the Red team, but the Red team countered with perfect scores from sophomore Stephanie Giameo and senior Ally Krikorian to tie the meet early.

The two teams split the next two rotations on the bars and balance beam. The Red squad scored perfect 10s from junior Elizabethe Manzi, freshman Bailey Philbin and Cofsky on bars, while the Black Team accumulated 29.875 points.

Giameo received her third perfect score of the night on beam, but the Red Team edged the Black Team on the apparatus, 39.725-39.600 with strong efforts from Walters, Manzi and Cofsky.