The Extra Tenth: Beth Deal

By Shannon McNamara for WVUsports.com
January 28, 2013 10:57 AM

Beth Deal proved she could handle the stress of anchoring the beam lineup last season, as she won the EAGL beam title with a career-best 9.9 routine.

All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks Photo

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – This season, the West Virginia University gymnastics team will lift the veil and give Mountaineer fans a closer look in The Extra Tenth. Each Monday, a different gymnast will be featured.

The seventh edition features sophomore gymnast Beth Deal. The Parkersburg, W.Va., native is coming off a fantastic freshman season, as she helped secure the team’s EAGL Championship victory with a winning, career-best 9.9 beam routine last March. Though she hasn’t seen competitive action yet in 2013, she is poised to make her season debut in the coming weeks.

Full Name: Bethany Mae Deal

Birthday: January 21

What’s on TV: One Tree Hill via Netflix

What’s in my iPod: Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan – basically, all country!

Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama

Favorite electronic device: iPhone

Superstition: Talking to Kaylyn Millick before my routine

Worst habit: Procrastinating

Favorite late-night snack: Cheez-Its and pistachios

Pop or soda: Pop

Chocolate or caramel: Chocolate

Early riser or night owl: Night owl

Bus or PRT: Bus

Swimsuit or snowsuit: Swimsuit

Facebook or Twitter: “Tweet Tweet” Twitter

Favorite Pinterest recipe: Jalapeno popper dip

Dream date: A candle-lit dinner on the beach

Favorite weekend activity: Catching rays at Blue Hole

Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Ryan Lochte

Favorite magazine: Cosmopolitan

Which reality show would you do best on: “True Life: I Married My Cat….”

Teammate destined for 15 minutes of fame: Dayah Haley (and myself!)

Best Dressed on Team: Makenzie Bristol

Teammate that makes the best study buddy: Kaylyn Millick

Favorite club gym memory: Playing kick the can when the power went out

Favorite road-trip ritual: Singing Taylor Swift on the bus

Tops on my bucket list: Skydiving and traveling around Europe

Deal and her teammates open their 2013 home season this Friday, Feb. 1, against No. 2 Oklahoma, Western Michigan and William & Mary, at 7 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum.

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