Jan. 7, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland gymnastics squad commences its 2009 regular season at home Friday by taking on Kent State at 7 p.m. in the Comcast Center Pavilion in a dual meet that represents the season-opener for both teams.

The Terrapins and Golden Flashes are meeting for the fifth time in their series history, but the first since 2002. Both squads received votes in the 2009 Preseason Coaches Poll, and Kent State is the reigning Mid-American Conference champions.

Following a six-week boot camp starting in September, several months of practice and two intrasquad meets, the Terps are ready to test their skills and measure their offseason progress against outside competition.

"Kent State is a very good team, and this first meet should be a great opportunity for us to gauge where we stand as the season gets underway," head coach Bob Nelligan said. "Our gymnasts has worked extremely hard throughout the preseason, so it is exciting for them to finally have a chance to compete."

Entering their final season under Nelligan, who will retire following the 2009 campaign and be replaced by his son, current associate head coach Brett Nelligan, the Terps boast a junior-laden squad consisting of 10 returning letterwinners. Juniors Michele Brenner, Brandi George, Talia Tossone and Allie Dama each qualified individually for the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships last season.

Two Terrapin newcomers - freshmen Kyra Phillips and Becca Pang - will have an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level for the first time Friday. Both performed well during the annual Red vs. Black intrasquad meet on Dec. 13.

Scouting the Competition
• Kent State returns 14 letterwinners from a squad that went 11-3, won the MAC Championship and qualified for regional competition in 2008
• The Golden Flashes finished sixth at the 2008 NCAA Central Regional Meet with a team score of 193.700.
• Brice Biggin enters his 18th season as head coach of the Kent State gymnastics team with an all-time record of 141-83 (.629).

Series History
The all-time series is tied, 2-2. Maryland won the previous matchup in 2002 by the narrow margin of 193.875 to 193.775.

Did You Know
Maryland's 2009 campaign marks the 34th season in program history. The Terps stand 21-12 all-time in season-openers, with their latest such victory coming over Towson and Penn during the inaugural meet of the 2007 season

Up Next
Following their season-opener versus Kent State, the Terps hit the road to face 21st-ranked Ohio State on Saturday, Jan. 17, in Columbus, Ohio.