UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 17 Penn State women's gymnastics team earned a 195.750-195.325 victory over West Virginia in a tight meet at Rec Hall on Saturday. The Nittany Lions used a big score on bars and clutch performances by junior Lauren Bridgens and freshman Cassidy Rushlow to pick up a big win in its home opener.
Penn State's 195.750 is its highest overall score in a home opener since 2013 vs. Cornell, Illinois-Chicago and Southeast Missouri State (196.025).
Rushlow captured the all-around title, in her first career meet at Rec Hall, with a 39.250. She led the Nittany Lions on bars, with a 9.925, and beam, with a 9.875, while winning the event title on bars. Rushlow's 9.925 is the top bars score in the Big Ten this season. Bridgens took second in all-around, with a 39.150, including PSU's top score on floor, a 9.825.
Rushlow earned Penn State's first Ann Carr Award of the season. The award is given to the gymnast who provides the most inspirational performance at each Penn State home meet. It is named for Ann Carr, the Nittany Lions' two-time National Champion in the all-around.
Penn State tallied a 48.750 in its first rotation on vault. Junior Alissa Bonsall led PSU with a 9.825, tying her career high and finishing second overall. Junior Kourtney Chinnery followed with a 9.800 to place third. Senior Erynne Allen tallied a career-high 9.750. Bridgens recorded a 9.700, while Rushlow had a 9.675. Sophomore Jessie Bastardi registered a 9.575.
West Virginia earned a 48.900 on vault, led by Abbie Pierson, who won the event title with a 9.900.
The Nittany Lions earned a big boost with a 49.300 on bars, PSU's top bars score since a 49.300 against Arizona State, Cornell and Yale on March 2, 2019. Rushlow paced the Nittany Lions with a 9.925, the top bars score by a PSU freshman since Bridgens' 10.000 vs. Yale in 2018. Bridgens placed second on bars with a 9.875, while senior Tess McCracken rounded out the top three with a 9.850. Chinnery and junior Ava Verdeflor tied for fifth on bars with a 9.825. Bonsall secured a 9.725.
The Mountaineers registered a 48.750 on bars, paced by Kianna Yancey's 9.850.
Penn State collected a 49.025 on beam, led by Rushlow and McCracken's 9.875, which placed them in a tie for second overall. Bastardi secured a 9.800 to claim fourth, while Bridgens had a 9.750. Freshman Bella Romagnano recorded a 9.725 and Verdeflor had a 9.700. In an exhibition routine, freshman Amy Bladon picked up a 9.725.
West Virginia secured a 48.925 on beam. Pierson led the squad with a 9.900.
The Nittany Lions garnered a 48.675 in its final rotation on floor. Bridgens led the blue and white with a 9.825 to finish second overall. Bonsall followed with a 9.800, placing third. Rushlow secured a 9.775 while sophomore Melissa Astarita collected a 9.750. Allen recorded a 9.525 and senior Kristen Politz had a 9.325.
The Mountaineers collected a 48.750 on floor. Chloe Cluchey won the event title with a 9.850. Erica Fontaine tied for third overall with a 9.800.
The Nittany Lions open Big Ten competition on Thursday, January 16 against Nebraska. The meet, scheduled for 7 p.m., will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Season tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 12 and younger). Single-meet tickets are also available for $8 for adults and $5 for youth. For more info, please visit here, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 9 a.m-4:30 p.m.
Follow along with the season on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
Freshman Cassidy Rushlow won the Ann Carr award