The glass is still half full for the Gymcats.
Trying to improve after a disappointing performance against UCLA in their last competition, the No. 21 Gymcats (2-4) traveled to Oregon State and fell to the No.7 Beavers (5-0), 196.725-194.675.
“”We definitely improved on the things we wanted to work on, the whole mental approach, and focusing and being competitive,”” said head coach Bill Ryden. “”I definitely feel like we regained a lot of what we lost in the previous meet.””
The improvement in the Gymcats overall performance, however, was not enough to prevent their second stright loss.
“”We keep nickel and diming ourselves,”” Ryden said. “”That is going to come once we get some more experience. We’re on that cusp of going from good to great and trying to finish the little things.””
The rest of the team was on the same page as Ryden. Team leader and lone senior Sarah Tomczyk finally competed up to her standards after sub-par performances in the last two meets. Tomczyk received a 39.175 in the all-around.
“”From here on out, we are just going to be working on the small details and hopefully we will get back to the 195-196 range that we should be at,”” Tomczyk said. “”At this point, it’s not so much hitting the routine as much as it is taking care of the details.””
The bright spot of the meet was undeniably the return of Katie Matusik, who has been unable to compete this season because of a broken ankle. Her arrival back on the competition field signaled another improvement for the Gymcats’ future.
Matusik exhibitioned in bars and beam at OSU, earning individual scores that did not count toward the final team score. The gradual transition helped her get back into the rhythm of competition and gain confidence coming off of her injury.
“”I was a little bit nervous just because it has been awhile since I have competed,”” Matusik said. “”I just kept telling myself that once I get up there, it’s just going to be like I was competing yesterday. As soon as I got up there, it was just like I know what I’m doing, and my confidence came back.””
