PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior Sabrina Garcia won her second straight all-around title, posting a season-best 39.325, and the No. 25 Penn State Women's Gymnastics tallied a 195.825, its best score in a Big Ten road meet since 2016. However, the Nittany Lions were edged by Rutgers' season-best 196.050. The Scarlet Knights set season-highs on three events.
The Nittany Lions' 195.825 was its second-highest score of the season, topped only by its 196.775 against Minnesota on January 26. It was also Penn State's highest overall score in a Big Ten road meet since a 196.350 at Maryland on February 22, 2016.
"We recovered really well after a rough start and had to rally the rest of the night but really kept our energy up the entire time," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "We rallied on bars and kept the energy on vault. We knew we were behind going into floor, but put together great performances. I couldn't be more proud of the fight we put together on beam, the best I've seen from this group. Our energy was so authentic and real, we knew good things would happen."
"This was the third meet in a row that we haven't counted a fall, which means that our consistency and the strength of our performances is getting better. We're looking to keep putting the work in and getting better. Jess and Tess were extremely impressive on beam tonight and another great performance by Sabrina in all-around."
In Penn State's third rotation, the Nittany Lions posted a season-best 49.350 on beam. Penn State's best beam score since the Big Five Meet on March 12, 2016, that is tied for the eighth-best in program history. The Nittany Lions were led on beam by freshman Jessie Bastardi and junior Tess McCracken, who both put up a career-best 9.925. The duo shared the event title, the first career event title for both. Senior Mason Hosek earned a season-high 9.875 to place fourth, while Garcia tallied a season-best 9.825 to finish fifth. Sophomore Lauren Bridgens placed seventh with a 9.800 and junior Kristen Politz registered a 9.700.
Rutgers tallied a 49.000 on beam, sophomore Belle Huang tied for the event win with a 9.925.
The Nittany Lions began the meet on bars, recording a 48.875. Bridgens and Garcia tied for second with matching 9.850 scores. Sophomore Alissa Bonsall collected a 9.825 to place fourth, while junior Erynne Allen earned a 9.725 to come in seventh. Sophomore Ava Verdeflor posted a 9.625 and McCracken had a 9.150.
The Scarlet Knights registered a 48.975 on bars. Junior Shannon Farrell won the event with a 9.900.
Penn State's second rotation came on vault where it scored a 48.800. Garcia earned a season-high 9.825 to finish second. Bonsall tallied a season-best 9.775, good for fourth. Sophomore Kourtney Chinnery and senior Gianna LaGuardia tied for sixth, each posting a 9.750. Freshman Melissa Astarita recorded a 9.700 and Bridgens had a 9.325.
Rutgers collected a 48.925 on vault. Senior Riahanah Ali won the event with a 9.850, while sophomore Toni Williams placed third with a 9.800.
The Nittany Lions scored a 48.800 on floor in its third rotation. Bridgens and Garcia each recorded a 9.825 to place third. Bonsall posted a 9.775 to finish sixth, while Astarita placed ninth with a 9.750. Chinnery registered a 9.625, while Hosek had a 9.600.
The Nittany Lions return to Rec Hall to battle on Saturday, February 16 to battle No. 10 Michigan. The 4 p.m. meet will be Dad & Daughter Day. Fans will receive Dad & Daughter autograph cards and stations. There will also be a photo booth with free take home and digital photos as well as a post-meet autograph session.
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.
Freshman Jessie Bastardi earned her first career event title on beam