March 18, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.) has been named Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week for the second time this season. Merriam matched career-highs on the vault (9.95) and floor exercise (9.925) on senior night against Kentucky.
"Maddie is so very deserving of this award this week," said head coach Jeff Thompson. "As a coach, I always worry that the seniors are going to get so emotional that they overdo it and try too hard to make senior night perfect. Maddie managed her emotions and used them to fuel her best performances of the season so far. It was an incredible night for the entire team and we are happy that Maddie is being recognized for her role in helping produce the second highest team score in school history."
No. 14 Penn State posted a 197.325, the second highest score in program history, to hold off the 19th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Senior Night this past Saturday, 197.325-196.775. Penn State topped the 197 mark for the first time this season. Merriam was also a key contributor on the uneven bars leading the way for the blue and white with a 9.875.
The Nittany Lions now turn to the Big Ten Championships, hosted by Michigan State next Saturday. Penn State is a top four seed and will compete in the night session at 6 p.m.
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