Issued: March 25, 2003

BLUGOLDS SET TO HOST NCGA NATIONAL COMPETITION

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire gymnastics team is ready to not only host, but for the first time since 1986, participate in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Friday and Saturday held at the McPhee Physical Education Center.

The Blugolds join a field of the eight elite teams in Division III gymnastics headed by defending champion UW-La Crosse. Besides the Blugolds and Eagles, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will also be represented by the Titans from UW-Oshkosh. Gustavus Adolphus rounds out the list of four teams from the west participating in the national competition.

SUNY-Cortland, Ithaca, Ursinus, and SUNY-Brockport will compete in Eau Claire representing the eastern region.

The Blugolds will attend national competition fresh off the best season in recent history. Eau Claire repeatedly broke team and individual records on the season, including boosting the record for highest team score to 180.325, a feat they accomplished at the 2003 WIAC Gymnastics Championships. The Blugolds finished second at the meet which was the highest finish at the conference championship for Eau Claire since the 1982-83 championships when the Blugolds also finished in second place. Eau Claire qualified for the NCGA Championships with a score of 179.175 at the NCGA West Regional held in Menomonie.

Alison Eagles (So-Shoreview, MN/Mounds View) will be the only Blugolds returning from last seasons NCGA Championship as she qualified individually in the vault. Eagles finished in a tie for 20th place with a 9.150.

The defending national champions UW-La Crosse claimed the 2002-2003 NCGA West crown with a score of 180.95. The Eagles will look to repeat a performance from last season's NCGA Championships where they scored a 184.925.

Gustavus Adolphus joins Eau Claire and La Crosse in the West as they finished third at the regional meet with a score of 179.025. Gustavus finished third at last season's NCGA Championships with a score of 182.550.

UW-Oshkosh finalizes the western region teams as they will participate in national play for the third time in the last four seasons and the 10th season overall. Oshkosh finished fourth at the NCGA West Regional with a score of 177.35.

SUNY-Cortland heads the eastern region teams participating in national competition. Cortland won the East Regional with a score of 186.675 for the second season in a row. The Red Dragons finished second at last year's nationals with a score of 183.175.

Ithaca joins Cortland from the east as they scored the second highest team score at the East Regional with a 184.950. The Bombers have qualified for the national meet every year since 1986. Last season they finished fifth at the competition with a score of 181.725.

SUNY-Brockport finished third at the East Regional to qualify for national competition. The Golden Eagles scored a 184.200 to qualify after missing last season's national meet.

Ursinus rounds out the teams from the east headed to Eau Claire for the national competition. The Bears qualified with a fourth place finish at the East Regional with a score of 183.575. Ursinus finished fourth at last seasons nationals with a score of 182.525.

Two teams who did not qualify for the team competition of the event will send four individual qualifiers. UW-Stout sends Tiffany Reber, Rhian Paulson, Cassie Johnson, and Helen Pansh while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will send Merritt Tam, Ashley Rothenberg, Francesca DeMeo, and Cindy to participate in individual competition. Springfield and Hamline send three individual qualifiers apiece while Wilson sends a lone competitor.

The meet will consist of two days of competition, with the first day dedicated to the team and all-around championships. The top 12 individuals in each event held on Friday will advance to the Saturday's competition to determine the individual places.

The competition is set to begin Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m. Individual competition will be held Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Single day tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for students and youths while tournament tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for students and youths. Tickets are available at the UW-Eau Claire Service Center or by calling (715) 836-3727 or 1-800 949-8932.