UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 27 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team fell 194.875-193.875 against No. 28 Maryland on Sunday night in Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions earned a 48.950 on vault, their highest score in a season opener since 2013.
Sophomore Cassidy Rushlow won her second career all-around title, while junior Melissa Astarita collected her fourth career floor title. Senior Erynne Allen registered a career high on floor. Freshman Natalie Cross earned PSU's highest score on vault and beam, while Alissa Bonsall and Rushlow tied for PSU's top tally on bars. Nine of Penn State's 24 lineup spots were performed by freshmen.
"As I think about the meet, I can't help but be reminded that we weren't always sure this was going to happen," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "We are so thankful to Penn state and the Big Ten for making this meet possible and to our student-athletes for their dedication to the new protocols and guidance to stay healthy and safe."
"In general, I think we saw a lot of nerves," said Brown. "We're very young and there are a lot of new faces in the lineups. There were a lot of great performances to be proud of tonight, but we also have some work to do this week to be ready for Nebraska on Saturday. I'm excited to get back at it."
The Nittany Lions started off the meet with a 48.950 on vault, their highest in a season opener since 2013 (49.100 vs. Denver and Lindenwood). Cross led Penn State with a 9.850, tying for second overall. Bonsall and Rushlow each earned a 9.825 to tie for fifth. Maddie Johnston collected a 9.775, while Amy Bladon recorded a 9.675. Donna Howell registered a 9.525 in her Penn State debut.
Maryland tallied a 49.075 on vault, led by Alexis Rubio's 9.875 and 9.850's by Audrey Barber and Reese McClure.
Penn State notched a 48.250 on bars. Bonsall and Rushlow paced the blue and white with scores of 9.825, tying for third in the meet. Cross followed with a 9.750, while Maggie Ayers registered a 9.725. Ava Verdeflor recorded a 9.125 and Johnston had an 8.875.
The Terrapins collected a 48.225 on bars. Barber and Emma Silberman tied for the event title with scores of 9.850.
The Nittany Lions also earned a 48.250 on beam. Cross led PSU with a 9.875 to finish second overall. Johnston followed with a 9.825 to place third. Verdeflor tallied a 9.775 to finish fourth, while Rushlow recorded a 9.625. Bladon registered a 9.150 and Ayers had an 8.550.
Maryland collected a 48.350 on beam, paced by McClure's event-winning 9.925.
Penn State finished the night with a 48.425 on floor. Astarita captured her fourth career event title with a 9.875. Allen collected a career-high 9.850 to place fourth. Bonsall and Rushlow tied again with a 9.825. Bladon finished with a 9.050 and Ayers recorded an 8.975.
The Terrapins notched a 49.225 on floor. Collea Burgess and McClure tied for the event title with scores of 9.875.
Rushlow won the all-around title, the second of her career, with a 39.100. Silberman finished second with a 38.875 and Barber came in third with a 38.850.
The Nittany Lions return to Rec Hall next Saturday, January 23, to host No. 20 Nebraska at 2 p.m.
Sophomore Cassidy Rushlow