Without a clear-cut favorite, Penn gymnastics' chance of winning is as good as anyone's.
After finishing third in the Ivy League, the Quakers have a chance to win the conference. Tomorrow, they will compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships at William and Mary.
Coach John Ceralde is optimistic about his team's chances.
"No team has stood out to be the favorite," he said. "William and Mary, Cornell, Towson, Rhode Island and Penn are the only teams to score over 192 points in a meet this year. It is very much so anyone's meet, depending on who wants it the most and who is well prepared."
To say there's parity in the conference is an understatement: Cornell has beaten Penn. Penn defeated Rhode Island. Rhode Island overmatched William and Mary, William and Mary split matches with Towson, and Towson overcame Penn and Cornell.
Penn sophomore Marissa Rosen, the No. 1 seed for the floor, agrees that the outcome is up in the air. In order for Penn to win, she said, "We will have to hit clean routines, not fall and hit four for four," referring to vault, beams, bars and floor.
"There are lots of really good athletes so it's anyone's game. It comes down to who is on that day."
To prepare herself for tomorrow, Rosen will go through the basics of her routine during the 15 minute equipment test periods.
"I'll do a few passes but definitely not the whole routine," she said. "I like to relax and don't want to stress out if my timing is off the day before."
While Rosen understands the importance of the meet, she isn't overwhelmed by pressure. After all, regardless of Saturday's outcome, Rosen has already qualified for the NCAA championships.
Unfortunately for the Quakers, senior co-captain Stephanie Ortiz will not be able to compete in the meet this weekend due to a serious knee injury.
Overcoming injuries has been a major issue all year for the Quakers.
"It has been a rough year for Penn but a lot of positive things have happened," Rosen said.
"Girls have stepped up and done events that they weren't used to. We are not done because of the injuries but the team really has to come to together and push in order to win."
Ceralde hopes his team puts all that behind it on Saturday.
"We will try to be consistent and try to have fun."
