JULIA TIERNAN/YH Gymnastics travels to Cornell this weekend as a prime contender for the Ivy.

Without captain, Elis roll and tumble toward Ivies

An entire season's worth of competition comes down to this weekend for the gymnastics team. The Bulldogs travel to Cornell on Sat., Feb. 26 to compete against Brown, Columbia, and Penn in the Ivy Classic, the tournament that determines the winner of the Ivy title. All that is considered in the title run is the performances of the weekend—neither season records nor rankings will have an effect on which team goes home with the crown.

Thus far this year, the only Ivy team that Yale has faced is Penn, its strongest competitor in the league. The teams have squared off against each other twice, and Yale has won both. "That definitely gives us the leg up," Captain Betty Ky, TC '00, said.

For this tournament, the planned routines have increased in starting values, meaning that they are more difficult than those that are performed in the regular season meets. In looking to the meet, the Bulldogs hope to stay strong and confident in this high-pressure environment. "It is really important for us to stay together. We are only as strong as our weakest link," Ky said. "It is really important that everyone has a good attitude throughout the season."

Gymnastics

Recent Results: 4th place, Towson Invitational Coming Up: Ivy Classic at Cornell, Sat., Feb. 26.

Ky is one to know the importance of a positive attitude. Two meets ago, she tore her ACL, a season-ending injury that had plagued her once before during her freshman season. "It has been hard, but the team has been really supportive. They have gotten me through it," she said. The other members of the team have had to step up to substitute for Ky, who was an all-around competitor. Katie Kleiner, DC '01, is now competing in the floor exercise; Nicole Hoffman, BR '01, has jumped up to the vaulting lineup; and Caroline Pignatelli, DC '02, will compete on the bars.

Regardless of what happens this weekend, the season has already held moments of glory. At the last home meet, the Elis broke the school record for total points at a single competition. The following weekend, they broke the record again. "We definitely pulled together," Andrea Wolf, JE '03, said. Wolf had a big part in Yale's achievement, turning out excellent performances on the vault and floor routine.

The squad realizes that continued success hinges upon everyone pulling together. "I can't say that there is one person that will make it all happen," Ky said. "It really is everyone pushing beyond their best that gives us the wins." Coach Barbara Tonry emphasizes the team attitude as well. "Every event matters, and every person makes a difference," she said. "This weekend will be a success when everyone scores their season bests"—a daunting task considering the records they have already established this season.

The Bulldogs seem optimistic that they will maintain the high-level performances they have given all season, however. "We could and should win [this weekend]," Ky said. "That is what we are focusing on now."

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