COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The No. 33 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team put together a complete performance to earn a 196.000-194.950 win over No. 28 Maryland on Friday night at the Xfinity Center. The Nittany Lions tallied a 49.000 or better on three events. Sophomore Cassidy Rushlow won the all-around title with a career high-tying 39.475. Penn State picked up its first dual meet win of the season to improve to 1-3 overall and 1-2 in conference meets, while Maryland dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten action.
Rushlow captured event titles on bars, beam and floor, earning career highs on beam (9.925) and floor (9.875), while tying fellow sophomore Bella Romagnano on bars (9.850). Penn State set or tied seven career highs on the night.
"It felt so good to put together a complete meet tonight," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "From start to finish, I felt each athlete raising the standard and striving for more. I'm so proud of the energy and fight we showed tonight and I'm excited about the progress I'm seeing on each event."
The Nittany Lions started off the evening with a strong 49.125 on bars, recording a season high. Romagnano and Rushlow shared the event title, each scoring a 9.850. It was Romagnano's first career event title and a career high, while Rushlow earned her third career bars title and her second this season. Freshman Natalie Cross tied her career best with a 9.825, placing third. Senior Alissa Bonsall, freshman Maddie Johnston and senior Ava Verdeflor all tallied a 9.800 to tie for fifth overall.
Maryland collected a 47.950 on bars, led by Alexa Tsiknias' 9.825.
Penn State earned a 48.875 on vault. Rushlow led the Nittany Lions with a 9.825, finishing second overall. Bonsall and junior Donna Howell both recorded a 9.775 with Howell earning a career high. Cross and Johnston each notched a 9.750, while sophomore Amy Bladon recorded a 9.000.
The Terrapins registered a 48.950 on vault. Collea Burgess won the event title with a 9.850.
The Nittany Lions continued a strong night with a 49.000 on floor, its third straight score of 49 or above. Rushlow captured the event title, the first of her career, with a career-high 9.875. Bonsall tallied a 9.850 for the second straight week to place third overall. Junior Melissa Astarita collected a 9.825, placing fourth, and senior Erynne Allen earned a 9.800. Freshman Maggie Ayers recorded a 9.650, while Bladon had a 9.400.
Maryland tallied a 49.150 on floor. Sabriyya Rouse tied Rushlow for the event title with a 9.875.
Penn State finished the evening with a season-best 49.000 on beam. Rushlow again led the way with a 9.925, setting a career high and winning her second career event title. Johnston also earned a career high, with a 9.850, finishing second overall. Romagnano had a season-high 9.800, placing fourth, while Cross recorded a 9.775. Verdeflor registered a 9.650, while Bladon had a 9.175.
The Terrapins recorded a 48.900 on beam, paced by Reese McClure's 9.850.
Rushlow captured the all-around title, tying her career high with a 39.475. It was Rushlow's third all-around title of the season and the fourth of her career. Maryland's Audrey Barber finished with a 38.650 and Emma Silberman had a 38.375.
Penn State returns to Rec Hall on Saturday, February 13 to compete against No. 20 Illinois at 4 p.m.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
