North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 24 Gymnastics Hosts Sweetheart Invitational
2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
The No. 24 NC State gymnastics will host its annual Sweetheart Invitational this weekend on Sat. Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. No. 25 Kent State, No. 18 Penn State, and William & Mary will be competing in the event alongside the Pack at historic Reynolds Coliseum on NC State’s campus. Live stats will be available via the gymnastics schedule page. Tickets for the meet are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and are free for NC State students and children 17 and under.
The Pack is 6-5 (2-2 EAGL) so far this season after competing against No. 1 Georgia and No. 21 North Carolina last weekend. Against the Bulldogs, sophomore Taylor Seaman posted a 9.8 or higher in three of the four events, including a 9.825 on both bars and floor. Freshman Brittany Vontz competed in her first meet with NC State and posted a 9.750 on bars. Senior Leigha Hancock also scored a team best 9.825 on beam to help the Pack to its second highest team score of the season.
Against EAGL foe UNC, Hancock led NC State with a career-best 39.150 in the all-around. Seaman posted her fourth straight 9.8 on bars, and freshman Brittney Hardiman scored a 9.825 on vault to tie for fourth with Hancock. Hancock posted the top score on floor with a 9.850, and Seaman and Hardiman scored season highs of 9.775 on beam. The EAGL recognized Hardiman’s performance for the second straight week naming her the EAGL Rookie of the Week.
No. 25 Kent State comes to Raleigh with a 6-1 record this season, and a 3-3 overall record against the Pack. The last time the two teams met was 2003 and NC State earned the win over the Golden Flashes. Kent State defeated George Washington last weekend taking the top score in all four events. The Golden Flashes are led by Kristin Peters who scored 9.925 on beam and a 9.900 on bars against George Washington. Christina Lenny also leads Kent State, having won vault in five consecutive meets, including last week’s meet.
With a 5-3 season record, No. 18 Penn State visits the Pack after defeating New Hampshire, Yale, and William & Mary on Feb. 9. The Pack is 1-5 against the Nittany Lions, including a loss last season at University Park, Pa. Brandi Personett leads Penn State after taking the top spot in the all-around last weekend with a 39.350, and scoring a 9.875 on both floor and vault. With three top finishes on bars, including one last weekend after scoring a 9.875, Alexandra Brockway is also a top performer for Penn State.
William & Mary rounds out the Invitational, coming to NC State with a 4-11 season record. The Pack holds a 36-7 record over the Tribe, including a win last season at last year’s Sweetheart Invitational. Stevie Waldman is one of William & Mary’s top performers and has posted a 9.800 on bars the past two meets. In the all-around, Tricia Long as put in solid performances, including a fourth place finish last weekend with 38.300.
PROMOTIONS FOR THE SWEETHEART INVITATIONAL
$3 Discount Ticket w/ Men's Basketball vs. Clemson Ticket Stub
Gym Club "Scream for the Team" Contest
9.7 Club T-shirt Toss
Demonstration by Percy "Priscilla" Price
Autograph session at conclusion of meet
