UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 25 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team tallied a 196.775, its highest overall score since 2016, a season-high score in each event and achieved multiple career highs. No. 22 Minnesota just edged the Nittany Lions with a 196.925. Penn State won the floor event and sophomore Lauren Bridgens tied for the vault title and earned a career-high in all-around.
Penn State totaled a 196.775 overall score, its highest in a meet since March 12, 2016 in the Big Five Meet. That is the eighth-best team score in the nation according to the RoadToNationals standings.
"We talked so much about bringing our own energy and we knew the double dual was going to bring a great crowd," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "We talked about little things like the music and creating energy between each other and as a team, what cheers we could do. All of that culminated tonight, from the fans to the energy from the athletes. Everything came together tonight to make it such an exciting meet."
"We've put in a lot of work to get to this point. My favorite thing about tonight was how much each athlete fed off of each other and the energy was so genuine. They are all continuing to push so we can get better. We started strong on vault and I knew we would have great energy on bars but we carried that over to beam, something we haven't always excelled at. We finished strong and hit 27 routines in a row. That shows how confident this team is and how bright their future is."
The Nittany Lions posted a season-high 49.025 on vault, led by sophomore Lauren Bridgens' season-best 9.900, which tied for the event win. Seniors Sabrina Garcia and Gianna LaGuardia each recorded a season-high 9.800, tying for sixth. Sophomore Kourtney Chinnery earned ninth place with a 9.775. Fellow sophomore Alissa Bonsall had a season-high with a 9.750, while freshman Melissa Astarita had a 9.675.
Minnesota registered a 49.250 on vault, led by sophomore Lexy Ramler who tied for the event win with a 9.900. Freshman Ali Sonier claimed third with a 9.875.
Penn State recorded a season-best 49.250 on bars, its highest since a 49.475 on March 9, 2018 in the BYU Quad Meet. Bridgens and Garcia paced the blue and white with a 9.900 each, with Bridgens' score tying a season-high. The duo tied for second in the event. Sophomore Ava Verdeflor earned a 9.850, tying a career-high, to finish fifth. Junior Tess McCracken claimed eighth with a 9.825, while junior Erynne Allen had a career-best 9.775. Bonsall registered a 9.725.
The Golden Gophers tallied a 49.325 on bars, paced by junior Ivy Lu's 9.950, which won the event title. Ramler contributed a 9.875.
The blue and white totaled a season-high 49.225 on beam, its highest since a February 19, 2017 quad meet at Texas Women's University. Freshman Jessie Bastardi's career-best 9.900 led the Nittany Lions and placed her second in the event. Bridgens and Hosek tied for fourth with a 9.875 each, a career-best for Bridgens and a season-best for Hosek. In seventh place, McCracken earned a career-high 9.850. Junior Kristen Politz had a 9.725, while Garcia recorded a 9.700.
Minnesota recorded a 49.375, led by Ramler's event-winning score of 9.950. Lu tied for second with a 9.900.
The Nittany Lions finished the meet with a season-high 49.275 on floor, edging Minnesota's 48.975. Garcia led PSU with a season-high 9.875, which placed third in the event. Four Nittany Lions earned a 9.850 on floor, with Astarita, Bonsall, Bridgens and Chinnery all matching scores. Bonsall and Bridgens tied career-highs while Chinnery achieved a career-best. McCracken tied a career-high with a 9.775.
The Golden Gophers were led by junior Paige Williams' 9.950 and Ramler's 9.900.
Bridgens collected a career-high in all-around with a 39.525, topping her 39.475 in 2018. Garcia recorded a season-high in all-around with a 39.275. Minnesota's Ramler won the all-around title with a 39.625, while sophomore Ona Loper recorded a 39.225.
The Nittany Lions hit the road to continue Big Ten action next Saturday, February 2, at No. 33 Illinois. The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Huff Hall.
Penn State's next home meet is on Saturday, February 16 against No. 8 Michigan. The meet is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be Dad & Daughter Day.
Single-meet tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth (12 and under). Season tickets are still available for $24 for adults and $16 for youth.
Follow the action on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
Sophomore Lauren Bridgens had a career-high in all-around