Gymnastics is happy to be home

After four weeks onAfter four weeks onthe road, the QuakersAfter four weeks onthe road, the Quakersreturn to host Brown Home sweet home. That is what many of Penn's gymnasts are feeling as they prepare to face Brown on Saturday at 1 p.m., at Hutchinson Gymnasium. After spending four straight weekends on the road, getting caught in a snowstorm and being stranded en route to Cornell, the Quakers (3-4, 1-1 Ivy) will finally have a chance to compete on their home floor for only the second time this season. Coming off a dismal loss to Yale Penn's gymnasts are enthusiastic and determined to meet the challenge of another Ivy League contender. Although Brown will be competing without its top all-around gymnast, who is out with an injury, Penn coach Tom Kovic feels the meet will still be be tough. The Quakers are hoping to show improvement on the beam and bars. Both events caused problems during last week's meet. Again, the key will be to minimize errors. "This week we mixed things up and made some changes in coaching strategies," Kovic said. "We focused more on mental gymnastics by using psychology to visualize a perfect performance and then actually performing what we pictured." He also knows that numerous road trips, vigorous practices and actual competitions have worn down the team. Along with hosting the Bears in the comfort of their own home, the Quakers will also be entertaining Penn gymnastics alumni as past performers will be on hand to support their alma mater. For freshman Suzi Marin, Saturday's meet will truly be a homecoming. Having attended Nazareth Academy located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Marin is excited to perform and compete at home again. Her career as a gymnast began at the age of 5, when she was enrolled in classes at a local YMCA. "I was always bouncing around on the sofas or somewhere, so my parents put me in a Y," Marin said. "My role model in gymnastics is my teammate, Kathleen [Gunn]," Marin said with a smile. "She is a very dedicated athlete, and I admire the way she takes and bears pain." One of Marin's ultimate goals is to become an all-around gymnast. This weekend, she will be competing in three of the four events, sitting out for just the floor exercises. Although she performed well against Yale, scoring a personal best on the bars, Marin still considers herself a "freshman underdog" and feels she must prove herself. "My family and many of my friends here at school are going to come watch the meet," Marin said. "I like to see familiar faces when I compete." Overall, the team seems very excited about competing in a comfortable atmosphere. Going through a tough week of mental and physical preparation has clearly given the team confidence to perform well against another Ivy League competitor.

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