Arizona loses meet, gains confidence

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Tenli Poggemeyer competes on the beam. Poggemeyer did well, despite a broken rib, during Sunday's meet in Athens, Ga. The team tallied 48.3 points on the floor, beam and bars, finishing up in third place against Georgia and Michigan.

Arizona (1-4) ended up finishing in third place with a score of 193.675. Georgia took first (196.950) and Michigan second (194.15).

And while Arizona fell to 0-3 for the weekend, its record does not reflect the team's effort.

"We were really worried about fatigue for this weekend, especially considering the number of injuries we've had," UA assistant coach Bill Ryden said. "But I think our team responded well to the challenge and improved on the great effort we gave Friday against UCLA."

Freshman Kara Fry once again headed the Wildcat charge as she set another personal best in the all around with a score of 38.950. Her mark was good enough for third place overall, with Georgia's Kim Arnold pacing the field at 39.675.

"Kara has been competing very well," Ryden said. "She has been thrust into the role of performing in the all around earlier than we would have expected due to injuries. But I think she has done a great job and has accepted the challenge."

The Wildcats made a drastic improvement in the vault, going from a 47.1 against UCLA to a 48.625 on Sunday. Arizona also continued to excel in the three other events as the team topped a 48.3 on the floor, beam and bars.

"I feel very good about our performances over the last week," Ryden said. "We have made significant improvements in each event and continue to gain valuable experience."

The team is also beginning to come together as a group. After two tough road trips, the Wildcats have been forced to stick together.

"I'm really proud of our team," UA senior Cami Banholzer said. "Our performance is a great accomplishment, especially after everything our team has been through."

Sophomore Kiernan Andrews and senior Tenli Poggemeyer had clutch performances for the Wildcats on Sunday. Andrews scored a 9.9 in the vault and added a 9.75 in the floor exercise as she filled in for junior Kristin McDermott, who was battling illness. Poggemeyer broke a 38 for the second time in the weekend as she continued to perform well even with a broken rib.

"Tenli has been a trooper ever since she came here," Ryden said. "She did an excellent job last weekend and we have great respect for her courage."

Sunday's meet marked the end of Arizona's three-meet stretch of facing four of the top five programs in the nation. And while the team finished 0-4, the experience has been a positive one in regards to the team's growth.

"Being a top program, we try and schedule the best competition we can," Ryden said. "This could have been a mistake when you consider our team's youth, but I really think we have learned a lot and will be a better team after facing these teams."