CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a meet that came down to the final routines, the No. 27 Penn State women's gymnastics team fell 195.725-195.425 against No. 25 Illinois on Friday night in Champaign. The Nittany Lions won the vault and bars events, including a season-high on vault.
Junior Lauren Bridgens captured the all-around title with a 39.275. It was her third all-around title this season and the ninth of her career. Bridgens also tied for the floor title, with a 9.850, and tied with senior Tess McCracken for the bars title, with a 9.825. Junior Alissa Bonsall and freshman Cassidy Rushlow tied for the vault title, each earning a 9.825.
"We fought hard tonight," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "I thought our performances were really strong and, unfortunately, it wasn't enough in the end. I'm so proud of the way our team continues to battle and despite the loss, I know we're continuing to get better as the season continues."
Penn State began the evening on bars, tallying a 48.975. Bridgens and McCracken led the squad with a 9.825. It was Bridgens' second bars title this season and the 11th of her career. McCracken earned her first career bars title. Bonsall followed in third with a 9.800. Rushlow recorded a 9.775, while junior Ava Verdeflor had a 9.750. Junior Kourtney Chinnery secured a 9.725.
Illinois collected a 48.750 on bars, paced by freshman Mia Takekawa's 9.800.
On vault, Penn State collected a season-best 48.875. Rushlow, in the second spot in the lineup, earned a career-high 9.825. Bonsall matched that to tie her career high. Rushlow captured her first career vault title, while Bonsall won her second this season and the third of her career. Chinnery tied her career high with a 9.800. Bridgens had a 9.725, while senior Erynne Allen registered a 9.700. Freshman Amy Bladon had a 9.650.
The Illini notched a 48.775 on vault, led by sophomore Shaylah Scott's 9.800.
The blue and white posted a 48.900 on floor. In the final routine of the rotation, Bridgens garnered a 9.850, tying for the event title. It was Bridgens' fourth floor title of the year and the fifth of her career. Sophomore Melissa Astarita collected a 9.825 to place fourth. Bonsall and McCracken each earned a 9.750. Rushlow and senior Kristen Politz both recorded a 9.725.
Illinois, in their final rotation of the night, picked up a 49.125 on floor. Scott and senior Karen Howell matched Bridgens with a 9.850.
Penn State finished the meet on beam with a 48.675. Bridgens set a season high with a 9.875, claiming second on the event. Freshman Bella Romagnano led off the rotation with a career-high 9.800. Rushlow and Verdeflor both secured a 9.700. Sophomore Jessie Bastardi recorded a 9.600, while senior Tess McCracken had a 9.175.
Illinois tallied a 49.075 on beam, paced by junior Kylie Noonan's 9.900. Scott tied for second with a 9.875.
In all-around, Rushlow collected a 39.025 to finish third. Illinois' Howell placed second with a 39.150 and junior Nicole Biondi had a 38.875.
The Nittany Lions continue its road stretch next Friday, February 14, at No. 28 Ohio State. The 6 p.m. meet will be broadcast on BTN Plus.
Penn State has two home meets remaining, a quad meet on February 29 and a meet vs. No. 2 Florida on March 7, both starting 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).
Cassidy Rushlow set a career high on vault