UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 23 Penn State women's gymnastics team tallied a season-high 196.575 to sweep its Quad Meet on Saturday Night in Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions topped No. 27 NC State (195.850), Towson (193.750) and Cornell (190.750). Penn State earned a 49.050 or better on all four events.
The 196.575 was Penn State's highest score since a 196.775 against Minnesota on January 26, 2019. That was also the last time the Nittany Lions collected a 49.000 or better on all four events.
Junior Lauren Bridgens won the all-around title with a season-best 39.475. She captured the bars title with a season-high 9.925 and tied freshman Cassidy Rushlow for the title on vault, with a 9.850. Sophomore Melissa Astarita claimed the floor title with a career-high 9.925.
For her efforts, Astarita 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), Bridgens (vs. Iowa) and Ava Verdeflor (vs. Rutgers) as Ann Carr Award winners in 2020.
"It was great to have so many prominent alums back in Rec Hall to support us tonight and I know the team fed off the crowd's energy," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "It was such a 'complete' meet for us and it was great to be back home! I'm so proud of this team's resiliency and I thought the quad meet was great preparation for the postseason."
The Nittany Lions began the night with a strong 49.050 on vault, its second 49.000 or above this season. Bridgens tied a season-high with a 9.850 to match Rushlow for the event title. It was the sixth career vault title for Bridgens and her second this season. Rushlow earned her second career vault title. Junior Kourtney Chinnery placed third overall with a 9.825. Junior Alissa Bonsall notched a 9.775, while senior Erynne Allen registered a 9.750. Freshman Amy Bladon recorded a 9.650
Towson had a 48.575 on vault, followed by NC State's 48.400 and Cornell's 47.775. Towson's Camille Vitoff tied for third with a 9.825. NC State's top scorer was Emily Shepard (9.800), while Cornell's was Donna Webster (9.700).
Penn State collected a 49.150 on bars, its fifth score above a 49.000 this year. Bridgens paced the squad with a 9.925, establishing a new season high. It was Bridgens' 12th career bars title and her third this season. Rushlow followed in second with a 9.850. Chinnery and Verdeflor each recorded a 9.800, while Bonsall and senior Tess McCracken both had a 9.775.
NC State came in second with a 49.125. Towson tallied a 48.300 and Cornell had a 48.125. Shepard again had the Wolfpack's highest score (9.825), while Madison Smith (9.800) was Cornell's top finisher. Ally Wesoly led Towson with a 9.775.
The Nittany Lions matched a season-best on beam with a 49.175. McCracken led the blue and white with a season-high 9.900. Sophomore Jessie Bastardi earned a season-high 9.875 to place third. Bridgens followed in fifth with a 9.850. Verdeflor recorded a 9.800, while freshman Bella Romagnano registered a 9.750. Rushlow collected a 9.650.
NC State won the event with a 49.250. Towson secured a 48.700 and Cornell had a 46.675. The Wolfpack's Chloe Negrete captured the event title with a 9.925 and NC State's Lauren Kent finished third with a 9.875. Towson's top scorer was Emerson Hurst (9.850), while Cornell's top finisher was Izzy Herczeg (9.750).
Penn State finished on floor with a 49.200, its fourth 49.000 or above this season. Astarita won the event title with a career-high 9.925. It was her third career floor title and first this season. Bridgens finished third overall with a 9.850. Bonsall and McCracken tied for fifth with a 9.825. Allen secured a season-high 9.775, while senior Kristen Politz had a 9.650.
The Wolfpack placed second with a 49.075, while Cornell and Towson tied with a 48.175. NC State's Drew Grantham finished second with a 9.900, while Alexis Beucler tied for third with a 9.850. Cornell's top scorer was Herczeg, with a 9.725, while Towson's top competitor was Amy Stewart with a 9.675.
Bridgens claimed her 10th career all-around title, and fourth this season, with a season-best 39.475. NC State's Shepard (39.150) and Kent (39.000) finished second and third, respectively. Towson's Wesoly tallied a 38.750.
Following the meet, Penn State honored its returning alumni, including the 1978 National Championship (AIAW) team, the first ever women's national title team in Penn State athletics' history.
The Nittany Lions will conclude their home schedule next Saturday, March 7 against No. 2 Florida at 4 p.m. Penn State will honor its seniors as part of Senior Day.
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).
Sophomore Melissa Astarita set a career high on floor to win the event