Temple women's gymnastics team returns home after 30 hours stuck on Pa. Turnpike

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WPVI) -- Action News was there when the Temple University Lady Owls gymnastics team returned home Sunday after being stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 30 hours during this weekend's snow storm.

Their bus got stuck Friday night at Mile Marker 140 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania - 80 miles from the University of Pittsburgh where they were supposed to attend a meet.

During the ordeal, the team kept in touch with their home base and 6abc through social media.

"Everything is a learning lesson and just letting them understand that we can't control every situation all the time," said coach Umme Seline-Beasley. "And that's something we learn as student athletes that you have to make changes when changes occur."

On the bus were 14 gymnasts, 3 coaches, 1 athletic director and, of course, the bus driver.

The girls say they had no idea how closely their situation was being followed at home.

Back on campus they call their snowbound experience valuable and uplifting.

"It was quite an experience, " said co-captain Hannah Popper. "We weren't really expecting this much snow and getting stopped on the road, but the team really bonded this weekend, and it's definitely something to tell next generations."

"The chemistry was there with the team, but we just got closer, bonded a lot more this trip," said co-captain Reagan Oliveri. "Unfortunately, we didn't get to the meet, but it was a great bonding experience."

The team saluted the veteran bus driver who was steady at the helm and got them back to Philadelphia safe and sound.

"Safe, sound, alive, all in one piece," said bus driver Deanna Whittington. "They were wonderful."

The team's next match is set for Friday evening at West Chester.