Furman excells for Ursinus

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa.-Sophomore Jessica Furman of Monroe, N.Y., and other members of her Ursinus College gymnastics team will travel to Lacrosse, Wisconsin, to compete in the 2005 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championships on Friday and Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. "This weekend's competition should be the highlight of a very successful season," said fifth-year head coach Jeff Schepers. "We have the potential to return with several All-America honors." Joining UW-Lacrosse in the team competition is UW-Eau Claire and UW-Oshkosh from the west region, while Ithaca, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Cortland are from the east. In addition to the six teams at the NCGA Championships, 43 individuals from nine other institutions will be competing at the meet. The Bears, currently ranked sixth in Division III with a team score of 184.500, will have six gymnasts representing Ursinus at the two-day competition. Furman, a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, returns to nationals after earning All-America honors last year. Furman finished second on the bars with a two-day total of 19.300. She is ranked third and fifth in Division III in the all-around and bars, respectively. She was named the All-Around Gymnast of the Week for the week of March 7-13 for scoring a season-high 37.800 in the all-around competition in the dual-meet win over Wilson.