Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gymnastics Begins 26th Season
January 09, 2001 | Gymnastics
Jan. 9, 2001
BGSU GYMNASTICS OPENS 2001 SEASON
The BGSU women's gymnastics team will begin its 26th season of competition when it hosts Illinois-Chicago and Kent State at 7 p.m., Friday, January 12 in BGSU's Eppler Center. BGSU also will travel to DeKalb, Illinois to face Northern Illinois, Sunday at 2 p.m.
BGSU GYMNASTICS SEASON OUTLOOK
Eleven letterwinners return providing the Falcons with power, strength, talent and dedication as they hope to be one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference in 2001.
"We're looking forward to the upcoming season with a vision of success and excellence," said fifth-year head coach Dan Connelly.
The Falcons are led by a powerful group of seniors who all rank among the top 10 performers in school history in their respective events. Heather Dankmyer, Jamie Kent, Cristin McClellan and Amber Curry will guide the team with their experience, skill and enthusiasm. Dankmyer, a co-captain for the second year, will be a key member of the beam (8th all-time) and bar (7th all-time) squads. Kent (4th all-time in each event) and Curry (4th all-time in the floor and vault) will be integral members of the vault, beam and floor lineups. McClellan's event to shine will be the floor exercise (2nd-all-time). "Her grace and power combination places her in a level that will be difficult to surpass," said Connelly. All of these seniors have event scores that rank in the top ten all-time scores at Bowling Green on their respective events. The juniors are led by two-time All-Around MAC Champion. Marny Oestreng. Marny was the 1999 NCAA Floor Exercise Champion, the lone female athlete at BG to win an NCAA title, and has posted the top mark in BGSU history in every event she has competed in. "Her impact on the program goes beyond her obvious accomplishments," said Connelly. Co-Captain Sarah Gaertner and Emily Gray (6th all-time) will display their abilities on the floor, while Jennifer Brenemen will add to the beam team. Mindy Untch (4th all-time in the floor and 8th in the vault) is preparing routines on beam and bars that will add to BG's depth.
Sophomores Rachel Hall (6th all-time) and Ann Marie Kassouf (2nd all-time) will add to the all-around and Kathy Emerson will add depth to vault, bars and beam (8th all-time).
In addition to this stellar group of returnees is the best crop of freshman recruits since head coach Connelly has been at Bowling Green. Norwegian Vaulting Champion, Pia Svojall joins her fellow countryman Marny Oestreng. Pia is an outstanding all around gymnast and has competed for Norway in the 1999 World Championship in China. Ohio State High School standout and floor exercise champion Melissa Popovich is a former elite level all around competitor. Kelly Kropko is an outstanding Level 10 competitor on the bars. Katie Carter is from Michigan and was the alternate in 2000 for the Level 10 Region 5 National Championship Team. Katie is a walk on and is a good all arounder who shows real promise on each of the four events.
"I think our goal is to do the best we can in competing for the MAC Championship and hopefully be successful enough to compete at the regionals come the end of the season," added Connelly.
