Feb. 25, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 10th-ranked Penn State women's gymnastics team was forced to count its first fall on an event since the start of the 2011 season in a meet at No. 11 Ohio State Saturday evening. The Buckeyes won the meet scoring a 196.025 to Penn State's 195.000.
"It was a rough meet," said head coach Jeff Thompson. "This is the first time we have counted a fall since last year - the first home meet of the 2011 season - which is a tremendous achievement for any gymnastics team and we know they are ready to start a new streak beginning next Friday."
The Nittany Lions had five all-around competitors this weekend, as sophomore Kassidy Stauder (Palmerton, Pa.) returned to the all-around lineup. Freshman Krystal Welsh (Bowie, Md.) was Penn State's top performer, finishing second with a 38.900. Junior Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.) took third with a 38.725, while junior Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) placed fourth with a 38.700. Senior Whitney Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) earned a fifth place finish with a 38.575 and Stauder took sixth scoring a 38.450.
"We started on bars and only Stauder and Bencsko did the routines like they do in practice," said Thompson. "We had two of our gymnasts whack their feet on the bar and then Sharaya casted over on her first handstand and fell. Maddie did a good job of hitting her routine to finish out the event, but it was not the start we were looking for."
Ohio State took the early lead in the meet beginning on vault and securing a team score of 48.850, while Penn State posted a 48.750 on bars. Bencsko was the top Nittany Lion on bars with a 9.825 to tie forth six, while Stauder posted a 9.800 for eighth. Merriam scored a 9.750, senior Alex Stine (Philipsburg, Pa.) posted a 9.700 and Welsh turned in a 9.675.
Penn State moved on to vault in the second rotation where the Lions posted a 48.675 to improve their team score to 97.425. Ohio State continued to hold onto the lead after posting a 49.325 on bars for a 98.175 overall.
"Lindsay was slated to take Lexi's spot on vault and floor, but was unable to compete due to illness," said Thompson. "Alex Witt got the nod and performed very well in her place on vault. Everyone made their vaults, but we had a case of the `try hards'."
Merriam finished in the top three with a 9.775, while Welsh placed fourth with a 9.750. Musser and freshman Alex Witt (Odessa, Fla.) shared seventh with a 9.725 and Bencsko finished ninth with a 9.700.
The Nittany Lions headed to floor for the third rotation and did an outstanding job. Penn State scored a season-best 49.275, which propelled the squad into first place with a 146.700. Ohio State trailed by a narrow margin with a 146.550 after competing on beam.
"I felt like we settled into rhythm on floor exercise," said Thompson. "Daryl got us off to a great start and Krystal followed her with a great routine. Stauder was eager to help her team by taking Carroll;s spot, despite not being completely healed from her ankle sprain. She did her best, but missed her second tumbling pass. Whitney, Maddie and Sharaya all rocked their routines and put us in the lead by two-tenths."
Bencsko, Merriam and Musser all scored impressive 9.900's to share second place. Welsh posted a 9.800 for 10th and senior Daryl Konsevick (Rutherford, N.J.) scored a 9.775 for 11th.
Despite the strong performance on floor, the momentum did not follow the Nittany Lions to beam. Penn State combined for a 48.300 after counting a fall to reach their final score. The Buckeyes posted a 49.475 on floor in the final rotation to take the win.
"We knew we would need to be near perfect on beam and Stauder got us off to a great start," stated Thompson. "But, then Maddie fell, Krystal hit and Whitney fell before Daryl and Sharaya hit to finish out the meet."
Musser was Penn State's leader on beam with a 9.825. Stauder scored a 9.775 for third and Konsevick turned in a fifth place finish with a 9.725. Welsh scored a 9.675 for seventh, while Merriam earned a 9.300 after a fall for 10th.
The Nittany Lions are back in action at home on Friday, March 2 against Big Ten foe Michigan and UNC. Action is set for 7 p.m. in Rec Hall.
The Penn State women's gymnastics team is on Twitter. Follow @PSUGym for the inside scoop. You can also find updates on the Nittany Lion gymnasts at GoPSUsports.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pennstatewomensgymnastics.