Record Breaking Season for Penn State

Penn State has been rewriting the school record book this season, with new records being set on every event. In their most impressive meet thus far, the Nittany Lions broke the school record for highest team score with 197.450 in late February. That score surpassed their previous team record of 197.025, set during a winning meet against Alabama on their own turf two years ago. This will be the Tide's first trip back since that loss, and Penn State is hotter than ever.

Sophomore Katie Rowland is on a roll this year, either breaking or tying all of her personal records set during her freshman season. She is ranked first in the country in the All-Around for the second time in three weeks. Her greatest strength is her consistency on every event in every meet. She has nice clean lines and an easy confidence on all apparatus.

The team's strength on vault will come from Senior Gemma Cuff who hails from England. She is a powerful and controlled vaulter. Sophomore Katie McAvoy can be a strong contributor on this event but has struggled a little with consistency.

The team's strongest and most consistent member on the uneven bars has been Senior Maria Taylor. Sophomore Lisa Campagnolo has also been a very reliable competitor on this event.

Penn State is currently ranked 7^th on their strongest event, the balance beam. This the second of the two events Taylor competes, and she excels on both. Freshman Richelle Simpson has earned her spot in the lineup with her ability to hit near perfect routines on a regular basis.

The choreography and composition of the gymnasts' floor routines is a highlight for the Penn State team. Many in their floor lineup have shown they are capable of 9.9+ scores. Sophomore Leslie Bair can be very consistent and hit high scores on floor, along with Cuff, Rowland, and Simpson.

Penn State will be looking to repeat their win at home against Alabama. They will have the "home crowd advantage", to motivate and encourage them. It is Senior night, so the crowd will be pumped. And as the strong sophomore class gains greater experience, they are getting more confidant, and it shows in their performance.

Alabama vs. Penn State
Saturday, March 17, 2001
7:00 p.m.
State College, PA