Dec. 14, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State women's gymnastics team was picked fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference office announced Wednesday. In addition, junior Colleen Dean and sophomore Sarah Miller have been named Gymnasts to Watch in the conference.

Nebraska was picked as the early favorite, followed by Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State. Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan State round out the preseason picks.

Dean, a first team All-Big Ten selection and Academic All-American a year ago, is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete. The Sylvania, Ohio, native earned the Buckeyes' team Impact Award on bars and won the all-around meet title five times last season.

Miller, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first team All-Big Ten honoree last season, was named conference Freshman of the Week six times last season. The Collegeville, Pa., native scored 9.950 on beam in a tri-meet with Missouri and Pittsburgh was an individual high and her 9.925 on floor, which she achieved against Illinois and Kentucky, also were Ohio State individual bests.

The Buckeyes open the season at Minnesota Jan. 7.

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Nebraska
2. Michigan
3. Penn State
4. Ohio State
5. Illinois
6. Iowa
7. Minnesota
8. Michigan State

BIG TEN WOMEN’S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Kelsey Joannides, Sr., Illinois
Alina Weinstein, Jr., Illinois
Jessa Hansen, Sr., Iowa
Jessica Morreale, Fr., Iowa
Sachi Sugiyama, Fr., Michigan
Katie Zurales, Jr., Michigan
Alina Cartwright, Fr., Michigan State
Taira Neal, So., Michigan State
Shannon Golich, Jr., Minnesota
Kayla Slechta, So., Minnesota
Jessie DeZiel, Fr., Nebraska
Janelle Giblin, Jr., Nebraska
Colleen Dean, Jr., Ohio State
Sarah Miller, So., Ohio State
Madison Merriam, Jr., Penn State
Sharaya Musser, Jr., Penn State