Beavers to Host Orange & Black Exhibition Thursday

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State gymnastics fans can get their first glimpse of the 2016-17 team this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Gill Coliseum at the annual Orange and Black Exhibition. Admission is free and the team will host a dance party and sign autographs following the event.

"We are looking forward to a fun evening in Gill Coliseum and performing in front of our fans," head coach Tanya Chaplin said. "It is a good opportunity for our freshmen to experience the college competition atmosphere in this exhibition situation."

The format for the exhibition will have the team split into two squads with gymnasts competing head-to-head. After each pairing, guest judges will determine the winner and points will be awarded accordingly. There will be 3-4 pairings per event.

"I am so excited to back out in Gill on Thursday," senior Kaytianna McMillan said. "The atmosphere is always so fun and the freshmen get to experience Gill for the first time. It will be a great teaser for what's to come this season."

The panel of guest judges at each event will include a member of the media that regularly covers Oregon State Athletics and student-athletes from other OSU teams. The event will be emceed by Oregon State public address announcer Brian Brooks and will include interaction with the judges.

The Beavers officially open their season Friday, Jan. 6 when they cross the country to meet Auburn in Alabama. OSU opens its five-meet home slate two weeks later when the Beavers host Northern Illinois and Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 21 in Gill Coliseum.

All-Americans Erika Aufiero, Madeline Gardiner and Kaytianna McMillan are expected to lead a senior laden team in 2017. In addition, to Aufiero, Gardiner and McMillan, the team boasts three additional seniors in Silvia Colussi-Pelaez, Megan Jimenez and Taylor Ricci, all of whom have considerable experience. In all, 11 letterwinners return and nine freshmen – Halli Briscoe, Kaitlin Campbell, Destinee Davis, Sabrina Gill, Lena Greene, Jaime Law, Maela Lazaro, Isis Lowery and Alyssa Minyard – have been added to the fold.

Seat deposits for new season tickets (2017) are available now by calling 1-800-GO-BEAVS.

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Players Mentioned

Erika Aufiero

Silvia Colussi-Pelaez

Madeline Gardiner

Megan Jimenez

Kaytianna McMillan

Taylor Ricci