The Towerlight, February 9, 1989

tl19890209-000 "Vol. 82 No. 14 ""Required Reading"" February 9, 1989 The Towerli Published weekly by the students of Towson State University Gymnasts lead TSU sports surge by Loren L. Harris Sports editor o utstanding individual performances , sup-ported by a solid team effort, earned the Towson State University gymnastics team its second consecutive Maryland State Cham-pionships Meet Title, in Division-I action last Saturday at the Towson Center Arena. In the team competition, TSU compiled a record-breaking 183.40 points narrowly secur-ing first place. The Tigers were followed by the University of Maryland College Park (181.95), the University of Maryland Balti-more County (170.55), and the United States Naval Academy (166.05). In less than six seasons under head coach Dick Filbert, the Tiger gymnastics team has established a reputable program that has helped make a name for Towson State in Division-I athletics. Freshman Stephanie O'Steen receives one final pep-talk before performing. htTowson, MD ammommillUMMUMMI 40' Biachino's performances helped TSU in the team competition. After last year's NCAA Southeast Region-als, Towson State University placed an im-pressive 19 in the final national rankings. ""We're becoming well known,"" Filbert said immediately following his team's record-set-ting win at the Maryland State Champion-ships Meet. ""Our name is out there and because we were in the top-twenty last year, we really have a lot of athletes coming to us now.,, For TSU, this particular meet featured standout performances by some of Filbert's younger talent. ""Gymnastics is a very de-manding sport,"" Filbert said. ""There's an awful lot of pounding and by the time their [the gymnasts] 18 or 20, they've been through a lot. That's why our freshmen and sopho-mores are usually our best gymanasts."" See GYMNASTICS, page 12 INSIDE Federal aid may soon require prior public service. Towson smog levels ""dangerous': Page 2 College Kids Club brings elementary school students to campus events. TSU humorist gets published . Page 6 Lady Tigers prove mettle with double overtime victory at Rider. Baltimore Ravens win big at Burdick in wheelchair hoops. Page 12 An open letter to Black students at TSU. Are five ""Raymond"" by-lines too many? Page 18 cover photos by John Stefancik "