BG gymnastics to compete in Maryland tri-meet

The BG gymnastics team puts its skills to the test Sunday in a tri-meet against North Carolina and Maryland in College Park, Md.

The Falcons have steadily improved in the first four meets, posting a season-high score of 193.225 against West Virginia two weeks ago. Most recently, the team stuck an impressive array of vaults at Western Michigan, earning its highest single event score of the year with a 49.025.

Coach Kerrie Beach expects to showcase some new routines in Maryland, as the team's competitive lineups begin to take shape.

Lindsay Koch returned to the lineup on uneven bars last week, and Amanda Lievendag, one of the team's strongest performers, will make her competitive debut for the Falcons this weekend.

"That's a huge step forward for us, seeing those two back in the lineup," Beach said. "It's forced all of our athletes on bars to want to step up and keep working bigger and better skills. I'm starting to feel like we're not going to be held back on that event anymore, and we'll be able to put four strong events out on the floor."

With strong routines on paper, the key to the Falcons' success will be their mental game. If not for several falls against Western Michigan, the team would have scored close to 195 points, a score that would put them among the best in the nation.

Maryland and North Carolina both have yet to eclipse the 195 mark, casting the weekend's competition as one in which mental fortitude will make the difference.

"Looking at the scoring, I think we're definitely competitive with those two teams," Beach said. "It's really exciting to be able to walk in and feel like we're capable of hitting 195 with this team. It's just a question of whether they're mentally ready to put every routine together on every event, and I think they are."

The importance of competing at a high level every weekend cannot be overstated, as a team's highest scores throughout the season determine whether or not it advances to NCAA Regionals.

While Beach is pleased with the team's steady progress, she acknowledges that big scores cannot come too soon.

"Seeing them up in the 193 score range this early is great," she said. "We're hoping to get some 194s and 195s through the second half of the season and make a run for Regionals."

Individually, the Falcons stack up well against the rest of the Mid-American Conference, as several gymnasts hold No. 1 rankings. Jamilah Ali holds the top spot on the balance beam, while fellow freshman Gina Locigno is tied for first all-around.

The Falcons continue to be a national power on the floor exercise, placing in the top 25 for the third consecutive week.

With individuals standing out and lineups beginning to gel, Beach believes it's only a matter of time before the team reaches its full potential.

"Every meet we're seeing progress here and there on different events," she said. "I think in the next couple of meets we're going to see them start understanding that they can put a whole meet together, and they should be putting them together for the next six or seven weekends before the postseason."