UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In a Senior Day tri-meet at Rec Hall, the Penn State women's gymnastics team placed third with a team score of 195.925 on Sunday.
The result was the team's second highest overall score of the season, bested by season best performances by both Ohio State and Maryland. The Buckeyes placed first in the meet with a team score of 196.400.
"There was a lot to celebrate tonight and I am so thankful that we were able to recognize our seniors one last time in Rec Hall," Head Coach Sarah Brown said. "We continue to get better each week and I am proud of the work that this team has put in."
As a team, the Nittany Lions set season highs on both bars (49.250) and beam (49.100). Individually, Penn State recorded six career highs. Leading the way was senior Alissa Bonsall, who recorded career best scores on both bars (9.90) and beam (9.875). On bars, three different Nittany Lions posted career highs, as both Natalie Cross (9.925) and Maddie Johnston (9.800) reached new highs. Amy Bladon recorded a career high 9.775 on floor, while Melissa Astarita tallied a 9.850 on beam. Astarita also added an impressive 9.900 on floor, falling just short of her career high of 9.925.
"Maddie and Natalie continue to be consistent on each event and Alissa and Cassidy lead both on the floor and as a team in so many ways," Brown said. "It was great to see Melissa on beam and I am excited about where this team is headed as we hit the road for the next few weeks."
In addition to the team's performances on balance beam and uneven bars, the Nittany Lions also recorded a 49.075 on floor, marking just the second time this season that the team posted three scores over 49.000.
Following the meet, the program honored the contributions of its senior class with a Senior Day ceremony. Competing in her final meet at Rec Hall, Ava Verdeflor finished third on bars with a score of 9.875 and seventh on beam with a score of 9.825. The team also announced that fellow seniors Alissa Bonsall and Lauren Bridgens plan to return next season as warranted by the NCAA's eligibility rules. Redshirt senior Erynne Allen capped off her final home meet with a 9.625 on floor.
Penn State will head on the road for its final three regular season meets prior to the Big Ten Championships in March. The team travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., next week to take part in the Big Five Meet on Feb. 27.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).