AUBURN, Ala. – The Penn State women's gymnastics team (10-9, 3-6 Big Ten) tied the sixth-highest score in program history against No. 9 Auburn with a 197.025 on Friday night. Despite being edged by the Tigers 197.600-197.025, the score is Penn State's highest since March 21, 2016, when the Nittany Lions posted a mark of 197.125.
"What an amazing way to finish out the regular season," said head coach Sarah Brown. "I'm so proud of this team—they had a great week of preparation, and it showed tonight. We are so grateful to compete in such an exciting venue, and tonight was great preparation for the postseason."
In addition to the team score, Penn State was especially impressive on the balance beam, as it posted a score of 49.425, tied for third all-time in school history and is the highest since the Nittany Lions' meet against Central Michigan on Jan. 24, 2004. In addition, the Nittany Lions posted a 49.350 on bars, tied for the eighth-best mark in school history and the best since posting a 49.475 on March 9, 2018. Penn State also tied a season-high on the floor routine, as it put up a 49.175.
Isabella Salcedo highlighted the night individually for the Nittany Lions, as she tied for the event win with a score of 9.95 on the balance beam, also tying the 10th-best score on the apparatus in school history and matching a career-high with the best beam mark for a Nittany Lion since Tess McCracken scored a 9.95 on March 7, 2020. Jessica Johanson also posted a career-high all-around score of 39.350.
ROTATION RECAP
Penn State started on the bars on Friday night, where it posted a team score of 49.350, its best in five years. Each Nittany Lion competing posted a 9.8 or higher, including four 9.875s from Gabbie Gallentine, Maddie Johnston, Cassidy Rushlow and Ava Piedrahita (matched career-high). Johanson was able to land a 9.850 as well, which tied her career-high. Elina Vihrova recorded a 9.8 to help the Nittany Lions get off to a strong start on the evening.
Over on the vault, Penn State posted a mark of 49.075, led by a 9.875 from Piedrahita. Johanson and Johnston were able to each put together 9.825 performances, while Vihrova also earned a 9.8.
On floor, Penn State finished at 49.175, earning five performances of 9.8 or better. Vihrova led the way for the Nittany Lions with a 9.875, while Johanson and Piedrahita each posted a 9.85. Salcedo and Johnston rounded out the event with a pair of 9.8s for Penn State.
On the balance beam for the final rotation of the night, Penn State's strong 49.425 performance was highlighted by Salcedo's career-high 9.95, which tied for the 10th-best score in school history. Johnston and Haleigh Gibble each posted impressive 9.9 scores, which marked a career-best for Gibble and tied a personal-best for Johnston. Johanson (9.825) also turned in a career-best tying performance while Rushlow (9.85) capped off an incredible effort for Penn State.
WHAT'S NEXT
Penn State will gear up for the postseason where it will compete in the Big Ten Championships on March 18 in Coralville, Iowa.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
