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Show Monday, 23 August, 2010 University Journal Gllflll Continued from Back Page UNIVERSITY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO Elise Wheeler, a senior last year, competes on the beam during a meet last season. Wheeler finished her final school year with a 4.0 GPA. gymnasts win title for 10th time in 17 years T-Bi- rd By JOSHUA PERRY jperrysuunews com The SUU gymnastics team was awarded its tenth Academic National Championship after season finishing the 2009-1- 0 with an overall GPA of 3.8923. The were able to edge out Southeast Missouri State University, who finished second with an overall GPA of 3.8905. The Academic National Title is an achievement that the team works for every year. The Academic National Title is something we always strive for because I think it just sets a standard of excellence in our academics, gymnastics head coach Scott Bauman said. Elise Wheeler and Melissa Johnson, who were seniors last season, received 4.0 GPAs, as did senior Ari Lamb and sophomore Catilin Kennedy. Seniors Bailey y and Shannon Coughlin and juniors Brooke Cersosimo, Lauren Jeffrey and Anna Schumacher all had GPAs at 3.9 or above. SUU had 12 gymnasts who finished with at least a 3.6 GPA during the school year. Bauman the emphasized importance of his athletes being Baker-Pendle- students first. Thats always been something we stressed immensely, he said. These are student athletes and I think a lot of schools just give lip service to the whole concept. Senior Schultz Lindsey underscored the importance of time management in allowing the gymnasts to have a successful season both academically and athletically. You just have to manage your time, she said. If you have a big test, prepare for it dont cram for it. You can still go out and have fun but its a priority you have to put first. The gymnasts work ethic and willingness to put the time and effort into their studies was also a major component of their success. They are goal oriented, very focused, very intense young ladies and everything they do, (they do) pretty aggressively. Thats just the nature of what this sport breeds, Bauman said. The will begin their 2011 campaign at Utah State on January 7; the defending national champion UCLA will open up SUUs home schedule on January 14. you have to take that result. I'd rather hav e it now so we can fix what we need to fix and move forward. Stock also said the first game is always the roughest for any team because it's the first time most of the players can shake off the rust of the offseason and for the younger players to see NCAA action. He also attributed some of SUU's errors to facing a team of UNLV's caliber. It's always tough the first game out. to really get a gauge of where you are (as a team), Stock said. They're a tough team ... they're very physical and a good athletic team and a very tough opponent. Last season, the largest problem was the struggle to find goals. They scored just 18 times in 19 games and were shut out 10 times. One reason for the offensive struggle was the loss of sophomore forward Stacey who redshirted Brinkman, the season with a knee injury', after leading the team in goals during her freshman year. Brinkman played the game on the Aug. 14 game marked her first game in SUU colors since 2008. Sophomore forward Shelby Ostler has never played an official game with Brinkman, but called it a definite plus after having the chance to play alongside hei in spring practices because of her communication skills and her ability to play the game. In the spang starting to added a lot play with her of momentum, she said. She talks a lot on the field and she's a great player. During Saturdays loss, the lone goal occurred in Page 11 the 43rd minute w hen freshman forward Meghan Mower's shot crawled along the goal line until Ostler was able to tap the ball into the net from her back. Despite a strong effort setting up chances to score, SUU was only able to muster eight shots during the game: which. Stock said was due to the abundance of turnovers in the midfield and defense areas. We created some opportunities, but we gave the ball aw'ay too much to get numbers forward and really truly take advantage of the dynamic players we have, Stock said. That (problem) wall continue to get b;tter as chemistry builds and we get an opportunity to play. SUU also began this season without two of its premier defendeis from last year. Both Kristen Fronk and Jennifer Johnson, w'ho started nearly game as defenders, every' graduated. Stock said finding strength defensively w'ould be important this season. Its absolutely critical that they step up, Stock said. We have to W'ork through those kinks and today they were definitely exposed. The only place we can go now is up. However, he said Krenzer showed her ferocious ability in her defender role during the loss Saturday and also acknowledged the good plays by Ostler and freshman midfielder Kally Barker. "(Barker) is a player that we really knew had a lot of potential (heading into the season), but I think she really stepped up and shined for us, Stock said. The return to the soccer pitch Wednesday for a match against Emery-RiddlOpening kick is slated for 4 p.m. at the Thunderbird Soccer Field. e. Ready Continued from Back Page Game time is when you real chemistry, Poots said. When youre hit with adversity you see if you can overcome it. SUU will start off the season at the University of Wyoming on September 4th. Kick off is scheduled at 7 p.m. see 2010 Football Schedule Home games in bold Sept. 4: at Wyoming, 7 p.m. Sept 11: San Diego, 6 p.m. Sept. 18: at San Jose State, 6 p.m. Sept. 25: at Texas State, 5 ---- -- p m. -- 1 -- Oct. 2: Northern Arizona, p.m. Oct. 9: at North Dakota, 3 p m. 16: Cal. Oct. Poly (Homecoming), 3 p.m. Oct 23: South Dakota, 1 -- -- p.m. Oct. 30: at UC Davis, 5 p.m. Nov. 6: Dixie State, 1 p.m. 13: Nov. at Eastern Washington, 2 p.m. -- --- Freshman linebacker Randall Nygren rips practice field outside of Eccles Coliseum. Note: All scheduled starting the ball away from a teammate during The will open their regular season times are in Mountain West time. practice Thursday afternoon at the Sept. 4 at Wyoming. 1 ' |