The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/406183
114 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER N C State gymnastics has to replace a lot of talented performers from its 2014 squad. Six seniors that played vital roles have graduated. They included Stephanie Ouellette, the East Atlantic Gymnastics League's Senior of the Year in 2014, individual all-around winner at the conference title meet, two-time EAGL Gymnast of the Week honoree, and first-team all-conference selection in the vault, uneven bars and all-around. Her 24 po- dium appearances marked the second-highest total on the squad. Also departed is Hannah Fallanca, who consistently competed in three events all sea- son for the Pack and was second-team All- EAGL in the vault and balance beam. Kristen Harabedian likewise was a steady performer in three apparatuses and was second-team all-league in the uneven bars and floor exer- cise. Diahanna Ham was named the EAGL Specialist of the Week once and was fourth on the Pack with 11 podium appearances. She was one of the Pack's best on the vault and balance beam. All told, the gymnasts that graduated accounted for more than three-quarters of NC State's primary routines used last year. Thus it is no surprise that longtime Wolf- pack gymnastics head coach Mark Steven- son, who is entering his 35th year as the only coach that State women's gymnas- tics has ever known, called this "a building year." "We've got some really talented young women that are going to have to fill those spots, but they are young," Stevenson noted. "They are freshmen. They are untested as far as college gymnastics." That said, Stevenson is still excited about the potential of his 2015 squad, which will be led by the top returning gymnast from last year in junior Brittni Watkins. Watkins was a powerhouse for NCSU in 2014 and was named the EAGL Gymnast of ■ PREVIEW WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS ■ Key Meets • Vs. Denver, Jan. 9 — The season opener is at home, but against a tough opponent. Denver ended last season ranked No. 18 in the final Troester.com rankings. • Vs. North Carolina, West Virginia and William & Mary, Jan. 31 — This meet features the three most successful teams in East Atlantic Gymnastics League history. West Virginia, now in the Big 12, won six conference titles as a member of the conference. NC State and UNC have both won five. • Vs. George Washington and New Hampshire, Feb. 14 — NC State's annual Sweetheart Invitational is always one of the top draws on the Pack's schedule, and this year it will also be the second annual Beauty and the Beast competition. Wolfpack wrestling will be co-hosting that event with gymnastics. New Hampshire is the defending EAGL champions. A BUILDING YEAR The Pack Has A Strong Core, But Must Replace Six Seniors Junior Brittni Watkins is the reigning EAGL Gymnast of the Year after posting 25 first-place finishes in 2014, nearly two-thirds of the Pack's overall individual triumphs last season. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP