Cougar Gymnasts Kick Off Season at New Hampshire

PROVO -- The BYU gymnastics team will kick off its 2008 season Saturday, as the team travels to New Hampshire for a tri-meet to face the University of Pittsburgh and the University of New Hampshire.

"It's time to get started," said BYU head coach Brad Cattermole. "I think the girls are getting bored being in workout all of the time. The meets are coming on us fast and furious, but we are ready."

The Cougars last faced New Hampshire in 2005, a meet in which they beat the Wildcats 195.025 to 193.925. BYU has never had a meet against Pittsburgh. This first BYU meet will be both New Hampshire and Pittsburgh's fourth meet of the season, but Cattermole said he is confident in his team.

"Traveling to New Hampshire is always a fun meet," Cattermole said. "They are a good team, and it is a part of the country you never get to see."

Although 13 gymnasts return to the 2008 squad, the team is still young and features 10 underclassmen. Yet despite their youth, many will play big roles in the 2008 lineup.

"A lot of girls we are counting on this season were learning the ropes last year and getting comfortable in the college environment," Cattermole said. "This year they are more comfortable with everything, and I am excited to see what they can do."

Most of the BYU gymnasts this year will focus on a few apparatus events, which Cattermole said he is counting on, instead of having multiple all-around competitors.

Senior Alethea Boon, will begin her final season and is a possible all-around competitor this meet. Last season Boon tied the seventh-highest vault score in school history. Through her experience and leadership will benefit the Cougar squad this season.

The meet will start at 7 p.m. ET (5 p.m. MT). Fans who wish to follow the Cougar action can track scores through live stats available through the following link: http://www.byucougars.com/Schedule.jsp?SP=152&YR=2007.