UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 30 Penn State women's gymnastics team earned its second straight big home score with a 196.325 in a win over Rutgers on Friday night in Rec Hall. Rutgers collected a 195.700. The Nittany Lions set season highs on vault and beam. Individually, the Nittany Lions set or tied six career highs and set or tied 12 season highs.
"Tonight was another solid meet for us," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "Honestly, it was probably our most complete meet from start to finish. Each time we compete, we learn something about the routines we are doing and we learn what type of competitor each athlete is. I'm so proud of the team and staff for their work in the gym and it's paying off in competition."
Junior Lauren Bridgens won or tied for the win on vault, bars, floor and all-around. She tied for the vault title with a season high-tying 9.850, earned the bars title with a season-best 9.875, hit a 9.875 for a win on floor and tied a season-high 39.400 in all-around. Junior Alissa Bonsall tied Bridgens for the bars title, while freshman Cassidy Rushlow tied a career-high 39.250 in the all-around to place third.
The Nittany Lions, who recorded a 196.275 against Iowa, collected back-to-back 196.275 or better scores for the first time since a 196.375 vs. Arizona State, Cornell and Yale (March 2) and a 196.325 at Florida (March 8) in 2019. Penn State picked up back-to-back home scores of 196.275 or better for the first time since 2015 when it had a 196.550 against Maryland on January 24 and a 197.025 against Michigan State on February 7.
Ava Verdeflor, who tied two career highs, was presented with the Ann Carr Award after the meet. 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. Verdeflor joins Rushlow (vs. West Virginia) and Bridgens (vs. Iowa) as Ann Carr Award winners in 2020.
"Lauren and Cassidy were incredibly strong yet against this week in the all-around," said Brown. "Ava had an outstanding night on bars and beam. Tess and Alissa continue to e leaders for us and I'm so proud of the energy they bring each week."
Penn State started the night with a season-high 48.850 on vault. The Nittany Lions were paced by Bridgens' season high-tying 9.850, which tied for the event win, her fifth career on vault. Bonsall followed with a 9.825, matching her career high. Junior Kourtney Chinnery added a season high-tying 9.800, while freshman Cassidy Rushlow tied a career high with a 9.750. Senior Erynne Allen recorded a 9.625 and freshman Amy Bladon had a 9.600.
The Scarlet Knights tallied a 49.075 on vault. Senior Kaitlyn Hall and freshman Hannah Joyner tied Bridgens for the event title.
The Nittany Lions secured a 49.275 on bars, its third score of 49.175 or better this season. Penn State earned the top six places on the event. Bonsall and Bridgens tied for the event title with a 9.875, tying Bridgens' season high. It was the fourth career bars title for Bonsall and the 10th for Bridgens. Matching for third place were Rushlow and Verdeflor with a 9.850. Verdeflor tied her career mark. Senior Tess McCracken came in fifth with a 9.825. Chinnery claimed sixth with a 9.800.
Rutgers registered a 48.850 on bars, led by sophomore Abigail Karolewski's 9.800.
The blue and white collected a season-high 49.175 on beam, its highest since a 49.175 at Florida in 2019. Rushlow earned a 9.900 for the second straight week, tying her career high. McCracken and Verdeflor tied for third with a 9.850 with Verdeflor matching another career high. Bridgens recorded a 9.800, while freshman Bella Romagnano had a career-high 9.775. Sophomore Jessie Bastardi registered a 9.625. In an exhibition, senior Kristen Politz had a 9.850.
Rutgers secured a 49.200 on beam, led by Joyner's meet-high 9.925. Freshman Jordyn Duffield tied for third with a 9.850.
Penn State finished the night on floor, earning a 49.025, its second 49.000 or better this season. Bridgens led all floor competitors with a 9.875, her fourth career floor title and third this year. Bonsall placed second with a season-high 9.850. McCracken tied for fourth with a 9.825. Rushlow collected a 9.750, while Politz recorded a 9.725. Sophomore Melissa Astarita had a 9.625. In an exhibition, Allen secured a 9.825.
Rutgers tallied a 48.575 on floor, led by junior Belle Huang's 9.850.
In all-around, Rutgers was paced by Joyner's 39.325, while Huang had a 38.450.
The Nittany Lions continue Big Ten competition next Friday at No. 22 Illinois. The 8 p.m. ET meet will be broadcast on BTN Plus.
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.
NCAA Regional tickets are now available. Penn State is hosting an NCAA Regional on April 2-4, 2020 at Rec Hall. Fans can purchase All-Session Tickets, good for all three days, are $32 for adults, $20 for youth (ages 12 or younger) and $20 for students. Tickets are available at either of the two remaining home meets. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY, visiting the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office or visiting here. For more info on the regional, visit here.
Follow along with the season on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
Senior Ava Verdeflor tied career highs on two events