George Washington University Athletics
2001 Gymnastics Outlook
12/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Colonials will be led by a strong junior class, which includes Kelley Banks, Jessica Mantak, Devin McCalla and Jamie McNally. Mantak, an Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team member in 2000, established a personal best of 39.075 in the all around last year. She also finished in the top 10 in three other events. McCalla, the 2000 Performer of the Year in the Atlantic 10, established a new A-10 record in the all-around with a score of 39.500 at the A-10 Championships and qualified for the NCAA Regionals. She finished fifth with a score of 38.975.
The junior class is incredible, Cunningham said. They are the stalwarts of the program.
Cunningham also will be relying on senior captains Darden Wilee and Lindsay Ferris to be key contributors and to provide experience , consistency and leadership. Wilee set career highs in the beam, with a score of 9.850 against Maryland, and floor exercise, a score of 9.925 at the Towson Invitational, last year. Cunningham expects Wilee to step up even more this year. Ferris will perform on the vault where she scored a season high of 9.575 at the Towson Invitational last year.
The sophomore class includes Kacey Coyne, Christy Gerard and Melissa Suter. Coyne is healthy this year after battling a sprained ankle throughout last season. She will be looked upon to provide strong performances on the vault and the coaching staff expects high scores from her. Gerard will once again be a force on the balance beam where she was one of the most outstanding performers last year, according to Cunningham. Suter will perform on the bars where she contributed solid scores during her rookie year.
Cunningham is expecting the three freshmen on the team to be immediate contributors. Lauren Berstein is an excellent vaulter and will add depth to that event. Rachel Mann is very strong on the bars along with the floor exercise. Lindsay Parks will use her quickness and energy to provide high scores on the floor exercise and vault.
The schedule will be another challenging one this season, highlighted by the GW Invitational on Jan. 21. Cornell, Temple, Radford, Pennsylvania, North Carolina State and William & Mary will come to Smith Center. The A-10 Championships will also be held at Smith Center on March 24.
GW will again compete in Region VI, along with Georgia, Florida, James Madison, Maryland, William & Mary, Towson, NC State, North Carolina and Radford.
Players Mentioned
