Bowling Green State University
NCAA Regionals
Gymnasts Prepare for Sixth-Straight NCAA Regionals Trip
April 03, 2013 | Gymnastics
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team will send two gymnasts to compete at the NCAA Regional Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, marking the sixth consecutive year that BGSU gymnasts have qualified to the postseason.
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Alyssa Nocella, the newly crowned Mid-American Conference balance beam champion, and Megan Harrington, an All-MAC second team selection, have both qualified to compete all-around in Tuscaloosa. For Harrington, it will be her second trip to regionals, after helping make history last year as one of four gymnasts to advance - a BGSU record.
Host team Alabama consistently provides one of the nation's premier environments for collegiate gymnastics in Coleman Coliseum, with average attendance above 13,000 at home meets this year.
"This is going to be an incredible experience for Megan and Alyssa," said head coach Kerrie Beach. "They have a great opportunity to shine in front of thousands of fans in Coleman Coliseum. I want them to block out everything around them and really focus on what they have been doing well all season to get to this point. The goal is for them to hit all routines with a focus on the details."
As individual competitors, Nocella and Harrington will each compete alongside one of six qualifying teams. Harrington will rotate with third-seeded Denver, beginning the meet on a bye before floor exercise. Nocella will begin on uneven bars, competing alongside five seed BYU.
The top two teams and the top two all-around competitors (who are not on an advancing team) from each regional will receive an automatic berth to the national championships in Los Angeles, Calif., April 19-21, hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles.
In addition, the event winners at each regional site will advance to the national championships (in that event only) if they are not part of a qualifying team or an all-around qualifier.
The regional meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET in Coleman Coliseum. Live scoring, as well as video coverage of the meet, will be available through RollTide.com.
