MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The No. 31 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team set a season high on bars, but fell 196.675-194.750 at No. 13 Minnesota on Saturday in Maturi Pavilion.
The Nittany Lions posted a 49.100 on bars to lead off the meet, setting a season high. Sophomore Cassidy Rushlow led PSU with a 9.875 on the event. Freshman Maddie Johnston had a career-high 9.800 on bars and a career-best 9.825 on vault, leading PSU on vault. Junior Melissa Astarita paced PSU with a 9.875 on floor, while sophomore Amy Bladon had Penn State's highest score on beam.
"I'm really proud of the work we put in for our first road meet," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "We started really strong on bars and continued to battle on each event afterward. I'm seeing a ton of improvement week-to-week from every athlete. We're adding depth on every event and we are really coming together as a team."
Penn State got off to a strong start with a season-best 49.100 on bars. Rushlow led the Nittany Lions with a 9.875, finishing second overall. Freshman Natalie Cross tallied a 9.825 to place fourth. Senior Alissa Bonsall, Johnston and senior Ava Verdeflor all earned a 9.800, tying for fifth, with Johnston establishing a new career high. Sophomore Bella Romagnano finished the rotation with a 9.700.
Minnesota recorded a 48.700 on bars. Lexy Ramler won the event with a 9.925, followed by Hannah Willmarth in second with a 9.875.
The Nittany Lions collected a 48.600 on vault. Johnston earned another career high, this time with a 9.825, to lead PSU and claim fifth overall. Rushlow tallied a 9.800. Cross registered a 9.750, while Bonsall had a 9.725. Bladon and junior Donna Howell each had a 9.500.
The Gophers earned a 49.275 on vault. Maddie Quarles led Minnesota with a 9.900 to win the event title. Ona Loper, Ramler and Halle Remlinger tied for second with a 9.875.
Penn State recorded a solid 49.050 on floor. Astarita led the Blue and White with a 9.875, finishing fourth overall. Bonsall claimed a season-best 9.850 to place fifth. Rushlow notched a 9.825, while senior Erynne Allen posted a 9.800. Freshman Maggie Ayers collected a 9.700 and Bladon recorded a 9.600.
Minnesota notched a 49.425 on floor as Mya Hooten and Ramler shared the event title with a 9.925. Remlinger added a 9.900.
Penn State finished the day with a 48.000 on beam. Bladon paced PSU with a 9.725 to place sixth. Romagnano recorded a 9.675, while Cross collected a 9.625. Verdeflor registered a 9.575, while Johnston had a 9.500 and Rushlow had a 9.100.
The Gophers registered a 49.275 on beam, led by Ramler's event-winning 9.950.
Rushlow concluded the meet with a 38.600 in all-around. Ramler won the all-around title with a 39.675 and Loper had a 38.900.
The Nittany Lions visits No. 25 Maryland next Friday, February 5, for a 5 p.m. meet.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
