UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 24 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team totaled a 194.750 on Saturday at Rec Hall, but dropped a decision against No. 8 Michigan, 197.075-194.750. The Nittany Lions competed in its final Big Ten home meet of the regular season.
The Nittany Lions opened the meet with a 48.900 on vault. Sophomore Lauren Bridgens led Penn State with a 9.825, placing fifth on the event. Three Nittany Lions tied for seventh with a 9.775 as sophomore Kourtney Chinnery, senior Sabrina Garcia and senior Gianna LaGuardia each matched that score. Sophomore Alissa Bonsall registered a 9.750, while freshman Melissa Astarita had a 9.700.
Michigan earned a 49.400 on vault, led by senior Olivia Karas and freshman Natalie Wojcik, who tied for the event win with a 9.950.
Penn State tallied a 48.325 on bars in its second rotation. Garcia paced PSU with a 9.825, placing fourth overall. In her first bars routine this season, senior Kristen Politz earned a 9.775. Sophomore Tess McCracken recorded a 9.725, while junior Erynne Allen had a 9.550. Bridgens tallied a 9.450, while Bonsall had a 9.225.
The Wolverines scored a 49.175 on bars, led by sophomore Lauren Farley, who won the event with a 9.875.
On beam, the Nittany Lions recorded a 48.675. Senior Mason Hosek led PSU for the second straight week on beam, recording a 9.850 to finish fourth. Garcia earned a 9.800, placing eighth, and Politz registered a 9.750. Freshman Jessie Bastardi collected a 9.650 and McCracken had a 9.625. Bridgens had a 9.225. In an exhibition routine, sophomore Ava Verdeflor collected a 9.725.
Michigan tallied a 49.350 on beam, paced by Wojcik's event-winning 9.925.
The Nittany Lions finished the meet on floor, registering a 48.850. Bridgens finished third in the event with a 9.825. Chinnery achieved a 9.800, placing fifth, while Bonsall and Garcia tied for eighth with a 9.750. Astarita recorded a 9.725, while Hosek had a 9.525.
The Wolverines earned a 49.150 on floor, led by Wojick's 9.900, which won the event.
In all-around, Garcia placed third overall, tallying a 39.150, while Bridgens finished with a 38.325. Wojcik won all-around with a 39.625, while Karas totaled a 39.500.
The Nittany Lions will finish its Big Ten regular season slate at the Big Five Meet. For the first time ever, the meet will be at a neutral site. The meet is on Friday, February 22 at 7 p.m. in Toledo, Ohio.
Follow the action all season long on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
Senior Sabrina Garcia