Big Ten Preseason Poll Release
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Women's Gymnastics team, ranked No. 27 in the WCGA Poll, were selected seventh in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced on Thursday by the conference. Sophomore Lauren Bridgens and senior Sabrina Garcia were tabbed among the Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch.
Michigan was projected to repeat as Big Ten champions after winning its fifth straight conference title last year. The Wolverines were followed in the poll by Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio State, Minnesota, Iowa, Penn State, Maryland, Michigan State and Rutgers.
The Nittany Lions went 11-8 last season, finishing seventh at the Big Ten Championships, in Head Coach Sarah Brown's first season. Penn State earned three wins over ranked opponents and finished with a No. 32 national ranking.
Bridgens returns after earning All-America honors on uneven bars as a freshman. She was also a First Team All-Big Ten selection after finishing the season with three all-around titles, three vault titles, six uneven bars titles, one beam title and one floor exercise title. She finished third in all-around at the NCAA Regional to advance to the NCAA Championships, where she placed 28th. Bridgens earned a perfect 10.0 on bars during the BYU Quad Meet.
Garcia was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection after finishing third or better in the all-around five times. She placed ninth in the all-around at the NCAA Regional. Garcia earned four uneven bars titles and one floor exercise title.
Bridgens and Garcia are two of 11 returners from the 2018 squad. The Nittany Lions added five newcomers, including two transfers and three freshmen.
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Senior Sabrina Garcia