Sports Briefs: Friday, December 3, 1999

Gymnastics to hold intrasquad contest Last season, the Quakers won the Ivy Classic title, becoming the first Ivy team ever to win the Ivy Classic three years in a row. Penn was the dominant Ivy team of the '90s, winning six Ivy Classic titles. Admission is free to today's meet, which will run like a regular dual meet with two Quakers squads squaring off. "I'm very excited for it," said Penn coach Tom Kovic, now in his 13th season with the Quakers. "We're basically using this competition as a gauge for where we are. It's pretty much the foundation point for the season." -- Eric Moskowitz W. Squash to face off with Yale and Brown Anyone in the mood to see cruel and unusual punishment this weekend must attend the home opener for the No. 1 ranked Penn women's squash team. On Saturday, Penn will compete against No. 6 Yale, and on Sunday the Quakers will play No. 7 Brown. "I predict a 9-0 win both days," junior Rina Borromeo said. "These matches are tune-ups. They will build up our confidence." Starting for the Quakers are senior co-captains Katie Patrick and Paige Kollock, Rina Borromeo, Helen Bamber, Megan Fuller, Christine Eynon, Patti Lin, Eliza Jacobs and Lauren Mann. "Even playing lesser players is good for me," Penn freshman Runa Reta said. "I pick something specific to work on, for example volleying, and I practice that part of my game during the match." The only challenge the Quakers might face is the physical exhaustion that comes from playing two matches in two days. "We might be a little physically tired, but we are mentally prepared coming into these matches," Fuller said. "We have dominated them in the past." The matches this weekend don't appear to be any aberration. Save any miracles, the Quakers will cruise to a 4-0 record for the season. -- Rick Lapidos