GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore Lauren Bridgens won the bars event title and earned career highs on two events to help the No. 25 Penn State women's gymnastics team to a 196.325 total. No. 3 Florida tallied a 198.025, matching its season high. The Nittany Lions have earned three scores above a 196.300 in a season for the first time since 2015.
"The atmosphere was loud and energetic from the start and our team did a good job putting together four solid events," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "Our athletes did a great job maintaining energy while keeping our heads and staying calm in a big environment. Competing in this atmosphere is great preparation for us towards the postseason."
"Hitting our first six routines on bars helped to calm our nerves," said Brown. "Our energy was good on floor and we finished strong on beam. Ava [Verdeflor] was strong in the leadoff spot and our last four athletes really shined. It showed we are a great beam team and we're getting our confidence back. Lauren once again shined in a big meet when we needed her to step up. She looked like she was having a great time tonight and earned a big score in all-around."
The Nittany Lions began the night on bars, earning a 49.200, their sixth score above a 49.000 this year, including their fourth 49.200 or above. Sophomore Lauren Bridgens secured her second bars title of the season, earning a season-best 9.925. Fellow sophomore Kourtney Chinnery matched a career-high with a 9.850, claiming sixth in the event. Junior Kristen Politz tied a career-best with a 9.825 to finish eighth. Sophomore Alissa Bonsall and senior Sabrina Garcia each earned a 9.800, while junior Tess McCracken had a 9.675.
Florida earned a 49.475 on bars, led by Amelia Hundley's 9.925. Three different Gators registered a 9.900.
Penn State recorded a 48.925 on vault. Chinnery led the blue and white with a 9.850 to place fifth overall. Bridgens and senior Gianna LaGuardia each tallied a 9.825 to tie for seventh. Bonsall registered a 9.750. Freshman Melissa Astarita and Garcia each picked up a 9.675.
The Gators collected a 49.475 on vault. Trinity Thomas led UF with a 9.950, winning the event. Alicia Boren followed with a 9.925.
The Nittany Lions responded with a 49.025 on floor, their seventh score over 49.000 this year. Garcia tied a season-high with a 9.875 to finish fourth overall. Bridgens matched her career-best with a 9.850, claiming sixth. Bonsall achieved a 9.825, placing seventh, while Hosek contributed a 9.800. Astarita and Chinnery tied with a 9.675.
Florida secured a 49.525 on floor. Boren and Thomas tied for the event-lead with a 9.975. Megan Skaggs added a 9.900.
In its final rotation of the night, the blue and white earned a 49.175 on beam, its fourth tally of 49.000 or above this season. Bridgens again paced the Nittany Lions with a 9.900, setting a career-high. She placed fourth overall. Freshman Jessie Bastardi registered a 9.875 to claim sixth. Senior Mason Hosek collected a 9.850 and McCracken garnered a 9.825. Sophomore Ava Verdeflor tallied a season-best 9.725 and Politz had a 9.500.
Florida registered a 49.550 on beam. Boren, Skaggs and Thomas led the squad with scores of 9.925.
In all-around, Bridgens recorded her second-best score of the season, a 39.500. UF's Thomas won the all-around title with a 39.750.
The Nittany Lions conclude the regular season next Sunday, March 17, at West Virginia. Penn State will compete against the No. 26 Mountaineers, No. 27 NC State and No. 22 Ohio State. The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.
Penn State hosts the 2019 Big Ten Championships on Saturday, March 23 at Rec Hall. The first session will begin at noon featuring No. 34 Maryland, No. 39 Michigan State, No. 22 Ohio State and Rutgers.
The evening session, starting at 5 p.m., will feature the Nittany Lions, No. 36 Illinois, No. 31 Iowa, No. 7 Michigan, No. 10 Minnesota and No. 18 Nebraska.
Sophomore Lauren Bridgens won the bars title