LINCOLN, Neb. — No. 23 Penn State women's gymnastics (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten) posted a solid 196.400 total score on the road against Nebraska on Saturday night.
Despite falling to a Nebraska squad that put up 196.500 points, Penn State gymnasts earned two event titles and achieved a number of career and season-best scores in a solid night of competition on the road.
Ava Piedrahita won the bars title with a 9.875, her first of four 9.8-plus scores in her 39.300 all-around outing. Isabella Salcedo collected the balance beam event crown with a 9.875 of her own. Freshman Kalea McElligott completed the all-around earning 9.8-plus scores on every event. McElligott finished with a 39.250 while Maddie Johnston collected a 39.200 overall total in her all-around.
ROTATION RECAP
Piedrahita claimed the first event title of the night for the Nittany Lions with her 9.875 leading the way on bars. Cassidy Rushlow anchored the group with a 9.850 while McElligott posted a career-best 9.825 and Johnston earned a 9.800. Penn State finished with a 49.075 in the first rotation of the night.
Penn State's all-arounders provided a solid foundation for the Nittany Lions' vault group in rotation two. Piedrahita and Johnston scored 9.825s while McElligott posted a 9.800.
On floor in the third rotation, freshman Alyssa Kramer delivered an impressive 9.85, her fourth 9.85-or-better score on floor this season. Amani Herring led the group with a 9.875 while Salcedo and McElligott earned 9.825 scores from the judges in rotation three. Penn State totaled 49.175 points as a team.
In the final rotation of the evening, the Nittany Lions earned three 9.85-plus scores on their way to a second-straight 49.175. Salcedo earned a 9.875 to win the event title while Herring and Johnston posted 9.85s. Piedrahita and McElligott rounded out a solid top-five for Penn State with 9.800s.
Penn State's three all-arounders were as consistent as ever, delivering solid performances all throughout the night in Penn State's second-straight road meet. Piedrahita scored a 39.300, McElligott earned a 39.250, and Johnston recorded a 39.200, each recording solid individual performances.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions return home to host the 2024 Big Five meets in Rec Hall on Feb. 23 and 24. Penn State will compete in session II on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and X/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).