University of Minnesota Athletics

Gymnastics Team Ranked No. 22 in Preseason Poll

12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics

The University of Minnesota women’s gymnastics team is ranked No. 22 in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Gophers finished the 2008 season with a No. 16 national ranking. The Gophers are one of six Big Ten teams listed in the top 25 in the preseason ranking, with Michigan coming in at No. 8, Penn State listed at No. 13, Illinois at No. 16, Michigan State at No. 17, and Ohio State at No. 21.

Minnesota has a tough road ahead in 2009, as the Gophers have competitions scheduled against 11 of the teams listed among the top 25 in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

“We’re absolutely expecting to be competing in Lincoln., Neb., at the NCAA Championships in April,” said co-head coach Jim Stephenson. “For years, we have felt that we’re better than where we rank, and with our No. 16 national finish last year, I think we’ve proven how good we can be,” explained co-head coach Meg Stephenson. “We were ranked in the 20’s all year, and then we get out on the floor with top teams, and we proved that we’re in the top 20. We certainly believe this year that we’ll be able to make and even greater statement on the national scene.”

Minnesota kicks off the 2009 season with the annual Intrasquad Meet, an exhibition contest that will take place at the Sports Pavilion on January 3. The regular season will start with a home competition against Arizona on January 10. Season tickets, as well as single-meet tickets are available online at gophersports.com or by calling 1-800-U-GOPHER.

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