TOLEDO, OHIO – The No. 29 Penn State women's gymnastics team tallied a 196.125 on Saturday night at the Big Five Meet in Toledo. The Nittany Lions earned a season-high 49.300 on vault and a 49.250 on both bars and floor. Penn State set or tied seven career highs and recorded four 9.900 scores. Penn State finished its Big Ten regular season schedule with a 4-5 record.
The Nittany Lions earned their top score at the Big Five meet since 2016, when they scored a 197.125.
No. 9 Michigan won the meet with a 197.950, followed by No. 7 Minnesota's 196.650. The Nittany Lions finished ahead of No. 31 Michigan State (195.975) and No. 24 Maryland (195.325).
Freshman Cassidy Rushlow earned a career-high 39.300 in all-around, while tallying PSU's highest score on beam (9.875) and tying junior Alissa Bonsall for the team's highest score on vault (9.900), a career high for both. Junior Lauren Bridgens claimed PSU's top score on bars with a season-high 9.925. She matched sophomore Melissa Astarita for the Nittany Lions' top score on floor (9.900), tying a career high for Astarita.
"The energy tonight was amazing and I'm so proud of our team," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "We started so strong on vault and bars and, after a little stumble on beam, we came out of the bye with an awesome floor rotation! Cassidy had another great night and I'm so proud of the way the vault team kicked things off!"
The Nittany Lions began the night with a season-best 49.300 on vault. It was Penn State's highest vault score since a 49.300 on March 4, 2018 in a quad meet vs. Pitt, Temple and West Virginia. Bonsall and Rushlow each had a big 9.900, setting new career highs and tying for fourth overall. Junior Kourtney Chinnery was right behind with a career high-tying 9.875. Bridgens tied her season high with a 9.850, while senior Erynne Allen recorded a 9.775. Freshman Amy Bladon led off the rotation with a career-high 9.750.
Michigan won the vault event with a 49.600. Maryland recorded a 49.175, while Michigan State and Minnesota both had a 49.075. Michigan claimed each of the top three places, including Abby Brenner and Natalie Wojcik tying for first (9.950) and Abby Heiskell taking third with a 9.925.
Penn State followed with a 49.250 in the second rotation on bars. It was the blue and white's fourth bars score above a 49.175 this season. Bridgens led the squad with a season-high 9.925, finishing second overall. Bonsall and Rushlow matched each other with a 9.850. Junior Ava Verdeflor collected a 9.825, while senior Tess McCracken tallied a 9.800. Chinnery registered a 9.775.
The Wolverines earned a 49.400 on bars. Minnesota tallied a 49.225, while Michigan State had a 48.925 and Maryland had a 48.525. Michigan's Wojcik won the event with a 9.950, followed by Minnesota's Lexy Ramler (9.925) and Maryland's Tiana Wright (9.925).
The Nittany Lions recorded a 48.325 on beam in their third rotation. Rushlow led PSU with a 9.875. Sophomore Jessie Bastardi earned a 9.800, while McCracken secured a 9.775. Freshman Bella Romagnano notched a 9.700. Bridgens recorded a 9.175 and Verdeflor had a 9.150.
Michigan registered a 49.425 on beam, followed by Minnesota's 49.050 and Michigan State's 48.875. Maryland recorded a 48.325. Minnesota's Ramler and Michigan's Wojcik tied for the event win with a 9.975, followed by Michigan's Heiskell (.925).
After a bye in the fourth rotation, Penn State finished on floor with a 49.250, the Nittany Lions' third floor score above a 49.025 this season. Astarita and Bridgens tied for the team lead with a 9.900, claiming third overall. Astarita tied a career high. McCracken set a career high with a 9.875. Senior Kristen Politz earned a 9.825 and Bonsall recorded a 9.750. Rushlow registered a 9.675.
Michigan had the meet's top score on floor with a 49.525, followed by Maryland and Minnesota's 49.300. Michigan State collected a 49.100. Michigan's Sierra Brooks won the event with a 9.950, followed by Michigan's Gabby Wilson's 9.925. Seven athletes tied for third with a 9.900.
Rushlow finished sixth overall in all-around with a career-high 39.300. Bridgens collected a 38.850. Michigan's Wojcik won the all-around title with a 39.775. Minnesota's Ramler had a 39.525 and Michigan's Brooks had a 39.500 to round out the top three.
After nearly a month on the road, the Nittany Lions will return to Rec Hall on Saturday, February 29 to host a quad meet against No. 30 NC State, Cornell and Towson at 4 p.m.
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).
Freshman Cassidy Rushlow had a career-high 39.300 in all-around