Gymnastics finishes third at George Washington tri-meet
Michael Katz
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Sports
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Don't be surprised if Terrapin gymnastics coach Bob Nelligan chooses to begin practice today with a brief lesson in Latin.
The veteran coach has a message for his team - carpe diem, or "seize the day."
"We just haven't been able to seize the opportunity when it's available to us," Nelligan said. "Instead of being able to seize the moment, we lose focus for a second and it's by us before we've even seen it coming."
This weekend the Terps had an opportunity to continue their late push toward the postseason, but instead of stepping up, the team took a step back, placing third in Sunday's tri-meet at George Washington.
The Terps had been building momentum following the team's two strongest performances of the season, but Sunday's score of 192.500 does nothing to improve their chances of qualifying for the postseason.
"192.6 [sic] is kind of like an also ran," Nelligan said. "It does nothing for us."
At this point in the year, every meet is critical for the Terps, who had recently begun to dig themselves out of an early season hole. If they hope to reach the postseason, the Terps cannot afford to slip up in any remaining meets.
This season, the team has often had trouble translating the improvement seen in practice into success in competitions.
The frustration among the team members is evident, as it seems the Terps are perpetually straddling the line that separates the playoff-worthy programs from everyone else.
"I just don't understand why we have to fight so hard for it to happen, for the life of me," Nelligan said. "We're not doing less than anybody else. We just seem to not be able to create our own winning environment."
Despite the letdown of yesterday's meet and the frustration built up in the aftermath, the Terps are once again pointing to the positives as a sign of strength and motivation.
Sophomore Brandi George earned a 9.850 on the balance beam, earning her first place in the meet. Sophomore Talia Tossone placed second in the event with a score of 9.775.
The veteran coach has a message for his team - carpe diem, or "seize the day."
"We just haven't been able to seize the opportunity when it's available to us," Nelligan said. "Instead of being able to seize the moment, we lose focus for a second and it's by us before we've even seen it coming."
This weekend the Terps had an opportunity to continue their late push toward the postseason, but instead of stepping up, the team took a step back, placing third in Sunday's tri-meet at George Washington.
The Terps had been building momentum following the team's two strongest performances of the season, but Sunday's score of 192.500 does nothing to improve their chances of qualifying for the postseason.
"192.6 [sic] is kind of like an also ran," Nelligan said. "It does nothing for us."
At this point in the year, every meet is critical for the Terps, who had recently begun to dig themselves out of an early season hole. If they hope to reach the postseason, the Terps cannot afford to slip up in any remaining meets.
This season, the team has often had trouble translating the improvement seen in practice into success in competitions.
The frustration among the team members is evident, as it seems the Terps are perpetually straddling the line that separates the playoff-worthy programs from everyone else.
"I just don't understand why we have to fight so hard for it to happen, for the life of me," Nelligan said. "We're not doing less than anybody else. We just seem to not be able to create our own winning environment."
Despite the letdown of yesterday's meet and the frustration built up in the aftermath, the Terps are once again pointing to the positives as a sign of strength and motivation.
Sophomore Brandi George earned a 9.850 on the balance beam, earning her first place in the meet. Sophomore Talia Tossone placed second in the event with a score of 9.775.
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