Overcoming adversity can sometimes bring out the best in athletes and their teams. The gymnastics team will do just that Saturday in the Mid-American Conference Championships at Bowling Green, Ohio, to defend last year's title.
"It's been a difficult season coming off a MAC Championship," head coach Mary Roth said. "When you have a season full of adversity, it makes your athletes stronger."
The 2002 title was the first in the school's gymnastics history. This year's team lost five members to graduation and has dealt with two seniors suffering season-ending injuries.
Roth said seniors Kim Cromer, Amy Bodus and captain Jenny Taylor have performed extremely well this season, despite the hard times.
"Our seniors have done an excellent job this year," Roth said. "They have really been tough both mentally and physically as well as great examples to the team."
While the seniors have been leading the way, Roth said the burden of carrying the team (8-16 overall, 2-4 MAC) through the adversity was placed on the sophomores and juniors who didn't have much experience on last year's squad.
"The gist of this year has been similar to the (men's) basketball team because we lost two strong players," Roth said. "We had to add two freshmen to increase our depth. As a coach, you have to see the good that adversity breaks."
Sophomore Colleen Dupuis will compete in only the uneven bars on a sprained ankle and has not practiced landings this week. Freshman Jennifer Carr will miss the meet entirely after suffering an ankle injury Monday.
"This has been one of those years that you hope you don't have to deal with again," Roth said. "I've been so blessed for the last 10 years to have had such great teams that have always been one of the top teams in the MAC every year.
"You can never give up. Our sophomores and juniors will be strong next year, so our strength is going to continue."
Juniors Quiana Williams and Cassie Anthony will hope to lead the Cardinals to ending the season on a positive note. Williams will be competing in the all-around, in which she posted a score of 39 out of 40 twice this season. She also holds several school records, and Roth said she is a strong possibility to qualify for the NCAA Regionals meet in Alabama.
Anthony will compete in the uneven bars. Last year she placed second in the MAC and is also a likely candidate for regionals.
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