Gymnastics Places 2nd in Tri-Meet at University of Maryland

Saturday, January 15

University of New Hampshire

Maryland, Air Force

1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics

Austyn Fobes

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Austyn Fobes (Howell, N.J.) scored a 39.075 to finish second in the all-around competition, and the University of New Hampshire gymnastics team placed second in a three-team meet Saturday that was won by the host school, the University of Maryland, with the U.S. Air Force Academy finishing third.

UNH, which now stands at 2-1 on the season, totaled 192.3 points, runner-up to Maryland's 194.525, and ahead of Air Force's 186.475.

Hannah Barile (Sinking Spring, Pa.) tied for first in vault, where she landed a 9.775. Ali Carr (Chelmsford, Mass.), who successfully attempted her first Yurchenko full since her freshman campaign, scored a 9.75 to tie Fobes for third place. The Wildcats won the vault with an overall mark of 48.65, Maryland took second with a 48.475, and Air Force scored 47.55.

Three Wildcats tied for second place on uneven bars, with Carr, Katie Lawrence (Lyme, Conn.) and Danielle Reibold (Horsham, Pa.) all scoring a 9.825, while Fobes' 9.75 tied for sixth place. Maryland won bars with a 48.525, followed by UNH's 48.5 and Air Force's 46.1.

The Wildcats got off to a slow start on balance beam, falling behind when they were only able to perform on about 50 percent of their routines. Fobes posted a team-best 9.775, Reibold scored a 9.5 and Lawrence registered a 9.45. Maryland was able to build a sizable early lead by scoring 48.975 on beam, followed by UNH's 46.575 and Air Force's 45.5.

"We self-destructed on beam, and that cost us the meet," head coach Gail Goodspeed said.

Fobes was the top UNH performer on floor exercise, finishing second with a 9.8, while Chelsea Steinberg (Ridgewood, N.J.), who struggled due to a bout with exhaustion, tied for fifth (9.775). The Wildcats amassed a 48.575 on floor, just behind the Terrapins' 48.975. The Falcons finished third with a 47.325.

"We have to be prepared to step up even when circumstances aren't the way we would like them," Goodspeed said. "It's definitely a disappointment and we expect better, so now we hope to get Chelsea back strong for next week."

UNH travels to Pennsylvania next weekend for a pair of tough meets; the Wildcats visit Penn State University on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. and follow that up with a match-up with the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m.

"I'm proud of the team for coming back after falling behind on beam," Goodspeed said. "We are looking forward to showing Penn State and Pittsburgh what this team is capable of doing."

The Wildcats' next home meet takes place Sunday, Jan. 30, against the University of Bridgeport at Lundholm Gymnasium. The meet begins at 2 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a Kids Club clinic. For information on UNH gymnastics tickets, CLICK HERE or call (603) 862-4000, x 5.