UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. –. The No. 26 ranked Penn State women's gymnastics team will head to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday for a quad meet with Ohio State, Michigan and Rutgers. The meet is slated to begin at 2 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.
At last week's Big Five Meet in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Nittany Lions recorded a team score of 195.850, placing third with their third highest score of the season.
For the third consecutive meet, the Nittany Lions posted a season high score on bars, setting a new high mark with a score of 49.325. Leading the way was senior Ava Verdeflor, who recorded a career high score of 9.950 to claim the first event win of her career. The score is the highest by any Penn State gymnast on the apparatus this year. Teammate Alissa Bonsall finished second on bars with a 9.925, setting a career high of her own.
The team also set a season high on beam for the third time in the past four meets, posting a team score of 49.225. Natalie Cross' 9.900 set a career high as she finished third overall in the event. Maddie Johnston also set a new career high with a 9.875 to place sixth.
Penn State has faced each of its three opponents this weekend once prior this season, facing Michigan and Rutgers this past weekend and taking on Ohio State at the Penn State senior day tri-meet on Feb. 27.
Fans can follow along with the action by watching Big Ten Network+, following live scoring and checking for updates on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
SERIES HISTORY
Penn State holds a 34-24-1 advantage in the all-time series against Ohio State and a 23-1 advantage over Rutgers. Michigan holds a 17-7 advantage in the series with Penn State.
MEET THE OPPONENTS
Meet host Ohio State enters Sunday's quad-meet with a 6-3 record. After starting the season 0-3 the Buckeyes have been victorious in their past six meets.
The Buckeyes have two gymnasts ranked in the top 50, with Jenna Swartzentruber ranked 21th in the nation on bars with an average of 9.868 and teammate Ella Hodges ranking 31th on beam with an average of 9.854.
As a team, the Buckeyes rank 21st nationally on beam.
Head coach Meredith Paulicivic is in her fourth year with the program.
Michigan continues its strong 2021 campaign, having won all four of its dual meets this season.
Rutgers holds a 1-9 record this season. Third-year coach Umme Salim-Beasley's squad has averaged 193.088 thus far this season.
NATIONAL NITS
Cassidy Rushlow ranks 38th in the nation on bars with an average of 9.875. The sophomore also ranks 32nd in all-around with an average score of 38.91.
Ava Verdeflor ranks 31st in the NCAA on bars with an average of 9.881 while Alissa Bonsall ranks 38th with a 9.875. Melissa Astarita's 9.881 average on floor ranks 48th in the nation.
As a team, Penn State ranks 24th on bars and vault and 29th on vault.
SHINING SENIOR
Senior Ava Verdeflor was named Big Ten Specialist of the Week on Monday after another career performance at the Big Five Meet. Her 9.950 was a career high and the top bars score posted by a Nittany Lion this season. It also marked the first event victory over Verdeflor's career.
The senior has now posted career bests on bars and beam in her final campaign in the blue and white.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Nine of Penn State's 24 lineup spots were occupied by freshmen in its season opener against Maryland. Three other lineup spots earned their first score on that event as a Nittany Lion.
Natalie Cross led the group, leading Penn State on vault (9.850) and beam (9.875), placing second overall in both events, and competing on bars. Maddie Johnston earned a solid 9.825 on beam, finishing third in the meet. She also competed on vault and bars. Maggie Ayers made her Penn State debut on bars, beam and floor. Amy Bladon made her Nittany Lion debut on beam and floor, while Donna Howell made her debut on vault.
HOME SWEET HOME
Penn State averaged a 196.230 in five home meets last season, its highest at Rec Hall since 2015. The Nittany Lions earned a 196.000 or better in each of the last four home meets, highlighted by a 196.575 in the PSU Quad Meet.
The Nittany Lions scored above a 49.000 on bars in four of five meets, paced by a 49.300 against West Virginia. Penn State tallied a 49.000 or better on beam in four home meets, finishing strong with a 49.325 against Florida. The blue and white also earned a 49.000 or better on floor in four meets, led by a 49.375 vs. Iowa.
BONSALL, RUSHLOW EARN B1G RECOGNITION
Senior Alissa Bonsall and sophomore Cassidy Rushlow were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch.
Bonsall won four individual event titles in 2020, including two on vault and two on bars. She earned a 9.900 on both vault and bars. She has three career scores of 9.900 on bars.
Rushlow ranked 39th in the nation on all-around last season with a 39.130 NQS. She also sat 63rd on beam with a 9.855 NQS. Rushlow won five individual event titles in 2020, including one in all-around, two on vault, one on bars and one on beam. She earned two scores of 9.900 on beam, a 9.900 on vault and a 9.925 on bars.