WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS OPENS 2010 SEASON AT RUTGERS (JAN. 9)

DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire women’s gymnastics team, led by 31st year head coach Gail Goodspeed, opens its 2010 campaign on Sat., Jan 9, at East Atlantic Gymnastic League (EAGL) rival Rutgers. The meet begins at 1 p.m.

The 34th-ranked Wildcats finished up with an impressive 18-12 season that included an appearance in the NCAA Northeast Regionals. From that team, the squad returns 13 letterwinners, six of which are seniors, which bodes well in terms of experience and leadership.

UNH will open the home portion of its schedule on Sun., Jan. 17, when it will be the host of its own UNH Invitational, which will begin at 1 p.m. in Lundholm Gymnasium. Featured teams in the meet include the Wildcats, Utah State, Ball State and Yale.

The last time UNH won the East Atlantic Gymnastics League title was in 2003 when the team was the host of the event, and the EAGL Championships are returning to Durham once again this season on March 27 at 2 p.m. in Lundholm Gymnasium. Tickets for all home meets will be available online at www.unhwildcats.com.

The Wildcats, who scored a season-high 196.225 as a team in 2009 will be looking to post similar numbers in 2010 with the return of several key gymnasts, including the likes of seniors: Helena Diodati (Scarborough, Maine), Taryn LaFountain (Utica, N.Y.), Keeley Smith (University Place, Wash.), Julie Sauchuk (Peabody, Mass.), Diane Grey (Spring, Texas), and Kelsey Alwin (St. Michael, Minn.). In addition UNH has six outstanding juniors, four sophomores, and an exciting freshman class consisting of five newcomers who could make an immediate impact for UNH.

Diodati and LaFountain were named the 2010 co-captains and junior Katie Lawrence (Lyme, Conn.) was named assistant captain.