Dec. 12, 2016
NACGC/W Preseason Coaches' Poll
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's gymnastics team was selected 23rd in the 2017 National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Nittany Lions closed out the 2016 season ranked No. 26.
"Our team is looking forward to getting started in January," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "The coaches feel like we have strong team with all of our competitors returning from last season to help lead the three newcomers on our squad. The fall semester has been very productive and these young ladies are ready to go out and show everyone what they can accomplish. They have high expectations for the 2017 season."
The Nittany Lions are one of eight Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason poll. No. 7 Michigan leads the Big Ten contingent followed by No. 12 Nebraska, No. 16 Minnesota, No. 22 Iowa, No. 23 Penn State, No. 24 Illinois, No. 27 Ohio State and No. 28 Michigan State.
Penn State returns 14 letterwinners from the 2016 season and welcomes three freshmen to the team in 2017. Kiera Brown (Newport News, Va.) returns for her senior season after tallying All-America honors on the uneven bars last season and NCAA floor exercise qualifier Briannah Tsang (Vancouver, British Columbia) is back for the Nittany Lions for her junior year.
The Nittany Lions open the 2017 slate against Bowling Green, BYU and Temple on Jan. 7 at 4 p.m. inside Rec Hall.