Gymnasts face Temple, Ursinus in prep for D.C.

Hutch Gym was a frosty place to be with no heat last week, so the Penn gymnastics team was forced to trek across town and practice at Temple's McGonigle Hall. Today, the Quakers meet the Owls again, but this time the venue is Ursinus College and the reason is not the weather, but the Freedom Classic. The Quakers will be competing against West Chester, Ursinus and Temple in the annual invitational meet for local teams. But another meet, at George Washington on Friday, may be where the team's minds are. "A meet is a meet, but we're definitely more focused on Friday," senior co-captain Mary Pedersen admitted. In the nation's capital, the Quakers will compete against seven teams, including Yale, which will be important for Ivy competition, and Temple -- again. "Temple's a really strong team, and we go against them three times this year," Penn senior co-captain Mona Nedjar said. "They're a lot of fun, though, and it is very relaxed. You always see people you know." She emphasized that the Quakers are far more likely to beat Temple Friday than today, which is being viewed as a sort of practice meet. "We are definitely not slacking off in terms of competition, but we are using this meet to prepare us for Friday," coach Tom Kovic said. 12 athletes, the maximum allowed for this meet will be competing. It will provide an opportunity for some of the less-utilized gymnasts like freshmen Lori Taylor and Dawn Landua, who will each be competing in three events, to see action. This is also a chance to rest members of the team for Friday's meet. Pedersen will not be competing in the all-around today, where she has been very successful, capturing top honors against Rhode Island. "I'm looking toward Friday as far as the all-around is concerned," she said. "This meet is important because each meet we compete in we get better. We become more consistent. It's another chance to perform in front of a judge." It's also another chance to become acquainted with the crosstown-rival Owls before Friday's meet -- if Penn wasn't intimately familiar with them already.