Penn wants fourth title in seven years

Although Yale has won two straight Ivy Classics, injuries have plagued it. Coming off an undefeated Ivy League season, the Penn gymnastics team is traveling to Yale for the Ivy Classic this weekend. The Quakers are hoping to come home with their fourth Ivy Classic championship in seven seasons. Yale, which has won the the Classic for the past two years, has had an injury-ridden season which has hampered the Elis' quest for a three-peat as Ivy champions. Brown and Cornell, which last year placed third and fourth, respectively, will also be looking to take advantage of Yale's poor season and take home the championships for themselves. Brown is coming into this weekend's championships after a six-point win over the reigning Ivy champs, 179.9-173.12. Cornell's only Ivy meet was against Penn. The Big Red lost to the Quakers, 185.90-178.675, in a meet in which the Red and Blue broke a team scoring record. Coming off of a regular season in which they won 7 of 8 meets and had an undefeated Ivy League season, Penn must not allow their success to overshadow their goal of winning this championship. "We are the best team in the meet," Penn tri-captain Kathleen Gunn said. While that may be true, the Quakers' Ivy League record provides no advantage for them in this competition. The gymnasts must still step up and hit all of their routines to prove to everyone and themselves that they are the best team in the Ivies. Injuries might be the key factor in deciding this championship. No one can deny that Penn is the favorite going into this weekend, but many of the gymnasts have injured themselves or reaggravated injuries since the dual meets earlier this season. Penn sophomore Molly Sullivan is the reigning Ivy all-around title holder with a 37.225 score. This year she is suffering from a shoulder injury that has prevented her from competing in the bars and is on a day-to-day basis for the Classic. In addition, Sullivan has been sick this week and will decide for herself on Saturday morning in which events she will be competing. Fortunately for the Quakers, Gunn, who will be competing in the all-around, has been performing at her personal best recently and has been healthy. With good scores, Gunn or the other members of the squad have the potential to qualify for the NCAA Regionals in April. Others on the team have stepped up for the injured members. Penn freshman Lizzie Jacobson will also be competing in the all-around. This has been her best season, and she is ready and confident to compete in New Haven. Penn was able to overcome a number of injuries in last weekend's Towson Invitational to tie the school team-score record, showing their depth. "While this meet carries the most weight, we have to go into it like all the other meets and stay focused, concentrate on our routines, and not worry about the other teams," Penn tri-captain Carin Kaplan said. Penn's only three Ivy championships in their 22-year existence came in 1991, 1992 and 1994. Yale has usually been the favorite in the Classic, but this year, the Quakers can take advantage of Yale's injury-filled season and win a fourth Classic. One of the Quakers goals this season has been to win the Ivy championship. While the title seems accessible because of their successful record and season, the gymnasts will have to overcome injuries, nerves, overconfidence and pressure.