The Penn gymnastics team is, in a word, balanced.
"Every person on the team contributes something," tri-captain Yael Sollins said. "Even if you can't compete, you're still there pushing everyone else to succeed."
The Quakers will use this balance and solidarity to try to defend their championship title at the 2005 Ivy Classic.
Coach Tom Kovic also thinks his team's consistency across all the events will be the key to success at the Ivy Classic.
"We don't have a weak event, we're a very balanced group."
Sophomore Kara Dewhurst expressed confidence in her team's ability to bring home another title.
"We've been building up for this all season; we're ready."
Penn will face off against three other Ivies in Brown, Cornell and host Yale.
The Elis are come into the championships on a four-meet win streak and finished second at last year's Ivy Classic.
When asked if Yale's team will be a threat to a Penn win, Kovic said that there were no guarantees.
"When it comes to the Ivy Classic, any team can win, no matter what its rank; this meet raises one's competitiveness to the next degree," he said.
However, Kovic did acknowledge that Yale's home-gym advantage would give them a "clear edge."
But propelled by the momentum of a stellar season, the Penn gymnasts are both nervous and excited for the event.
"Being champions already, we have to uphold our name," freshman Kimberly Chin said.
Fellow freshman Kelly Sievert also drew a comparison to the teams that competed before her arrival.
"To be quite honest, we're stronger than we've ever been."
As the end of the season draws closer, Lex Chalat, one of five seniors on the team, expressed sadness, as this will be her last Ivy Classic.
"Thinking about the end makes me really sad," Chalat said. "We live together; we've become so close over the past three years."
Kovic had nothing but accolades for all of the Quakers.
"I'm so proud of every single member of my team. I'm a lucky guy that I am able to have such a committed team," she said.
Penn's competition on Saturday will have a lot to be intimidated about.
The Quakers have four wins under their belt and an impressive second-place finish at last weekend's Towson Invitational.
At the meet senior Emily Petkun continued to lead the way for the Red and Blue as she became the first Penn gymnast to win the all-around at an invitational.
However, even with a standout like Petkun on the roster, Sievert cited unity as the team's greatest asset.
"We have the ability to become one, to unite against everyone else and to just support each other; we're a fist," she said.
Freshman Stephanie Ortiz had more words of encouragement for her teammates.
"We're all getting the chance to prove ourselves and we can win. I know we can."
The Ivy showdown will be held at Yale tomorrow at 1 p.m.
