UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's gymnastics team will open the 2021 season ranked No. 27 in the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Poll, released on Thursday. The preseason poll was voted on by the coaches.
The Nittany Lions ended the 2020 season ranked 30th in the RoadToNationals standings with a 195.860 National Qualifying Score (NQS). Penn State earned eight dual-meet wins, including four victories over ranked opponents.
Penn State notched five scores above a 196.000, its most since 2015. The Nittany Lions averaged a 196.230 in five home meets, its highest at Rec Hall since 2015. Penn State earned a 196.000 or better in each of the last four home meets of the 2020 season.
The Nittany Lions ranked 21st in the nation with a 49.130 NQS on bars.
Senior Lauren Bridgens earned first team All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive season, ranking 28th in the nation in all-around, 47th on bars and 51st on floor. Bridgens set or tied career highs on beam (9.900) and floor (9.950). She captured 13 event titles last season, including four in all-around, two on vault, three on bars and four on floor.
Sophomore Cassidy Rushlow made a big impact in her first season in Happy Valley, collecting second team All-Big Ten accolades. She ranked 39th in all-around and 63rd on beam. The Massachusetts native earned five event titles with two on vault, one each on bars and beam and an all-around title. She recorded season high scores of 39.300 in all-around, 9.925 on bars, 9.900 on beam and 9.825 on floor.
Bridgens and Rushlow are two of 12 returning members from the 2020 squad. The Nittany Lions added freshmen Maggie Ayers, Natalie Cross, Maddie Johnston, Maggie Mace and Abi Walker.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
