Injuries abound for Gymnastics

The camaraderie of the Penn gymnastics team has reached at an all-time high during the current period of adversity. Due to a recent string of injuries and illnesses to some of their best performers, the Quakers (6-2 dual meets, 0-2 Ivy) have had to pull together instead of just relying on a few key individuals. "Because of these injuries, we've really had to become a team," freshman Laura Duros said. Junior Christy Green agrees. "In the past, people have tended to become individualized," Green said. "This year, we need to depend on each other. When someone falls, for example, we each step it up and cover for them." Head coach Tom Kovic sees something in his team that he has never seen before in his tenure at Penn. "They are the most committed team in my 16 years here at Penn," he said. "They are committed to each other. They have a personal obligation to Penn and to the team." On Saturday, the Quakers will head across town to Temple's McGonigle Hall, taking on the Owls as well as Wilson College. "We're coming in hobbling," Kovic said. "But the girls will perform their best." Temple -- 2-1 in dual meets this year -- will be the toughest challenge for Penn on the day. Last season the Quakers went 1-1 against their Philly rivals, first losing, 187.5-183.7, at Weightman Hall. The Red and Blue avenged their earlier defeat with a 188.175-185.925 win at Towson. "Temple is a good team," Duros said. "But they are beatable. We can beat them as long as we do what we know how to do." Penn, averaging 186.775 per meet, will need to improve its scores to compete with the Owls. "They are scoring consistently in the low 190's, which we haven't done," Kovic said. "However, we haven't been competing with our first strings." Wilson should figure to be an easy matchup for the Quakers. The winless Phoenix have averaged 167.125 in their three meets this year. "They should not be too much of a challenge," Duros said. While Kovic agrees that the Quakers should win, he is quick to note that the Red and Blue should not take their opponents lightly. "Wilson is improving every year," he said. "But I'm confident that Penn and Temple are on a completely different level." Despite the fact that several members of the Quakers are injured, the team has been surprised by the results of several athletes who have stepped up to replace the gymnasts who are unable to perform. One athlete who received high praise from her teammates was senior Cristina Muresanu. "She can step it up at any time," Green said. "Last week, she went in with no warmup and delivered." Others who were lauded by their teammates and coach for performing well in the face of difficult times were freshman Julie Kikla and sophomores Yael Sollins and Corrine Laxman. "When you hit a wall, like we did, you have got to be thankful for our great depth," Kovic said. "It's nice to know that these girls care so much for each other and for the team."

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