UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Competing in front of its fans for the first time in nearly two years, the Penn State women's gymnastics team defeated Yale in its home opener 194.775-190.650.
"It's really nice to get a win," Head Coach Sarah Brown said. "It's been a really good start to the season, and it was so great to be home and get our fans back. It's one of those things that you really don't realize the impact of having your fans out there until they aren't there. Tonight we had a lot of parents who got to see their kids compete for the first time and it was all part of a really special night."
The Nittany Lions (3-0) followed a solid opening night showing against Penn and Temple with another successful night, winning all four events in the meet.
Penn State once again recorded a score over 49.0 on bars, winning the event with a 49.050 score. Fifth-year senior Lauren Bridgens and freshman Jessica Johanson won the event with matching 9.825 scores.
Bridgens also shared the victory on floor, matching freshman Isabella Salcedo with a score of 9.850 en route to a 48.975 score for Penn State. Salcedo claimed the top spot on vault with a 9.825 score. The Nittany Lions were led by Amy Bladon on beam, as the junior recorded a career-high 9.825 on the apparatus. The win is the first event win of Bladon's career.
The Penn State gymnastics program honored several members of the Penn State gymnastics family who lost their lives over the past two years with a moment of silence prior to the meet. Following the competition, Penn State awarded its Ann Carr meet MVP award to Gwen Nise, a long time athletic trainer for the program and one of Penn State gymnastics' biggest supporters.
"There were many emotional moments tonight where we had some time to reflect on those who we lost since the last time we were home with our fans," Brown said. "Getting to honor them tonight was really special."
