UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 28 Penn State Women's Gymnastics team dropped a tight 195.250-195.100 decision against No. 29 Nebraska on Saturday at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions set or tied 10 career bests, including three by sophomore Cassidy Rushlow. Penn State dropped to 0-2 overall, while Nebraska improved to 1-1.
"Tonight was a much strong night for us in so many ways," said Head Coach Sarah Brown. "Obviously we had many more strong performances, but we also had so much more intentionality and energy with each routine. I'm really proud of the fight our team showed and it came down to the final routine to determine a winner."
Rushlow had an impressive performance, winning her second-straight all-around title, this time with a career-best 39.475. She also won the bars title, with a career high-tying 9.925, and the vault title, with a 9.875. She also had a career-high 9.850 on floor. Junior Melissa Astarita posted a career-best 9.925 to win the floor title.
"Cassidy was yet again, fantastic in the all-around and we saw great performances by Ava on bars along with Erynne and Mel on floor," said Brown. "I'm looking forward to hitting the road with the team next week to Minnesota."
The Nittany Lions started off the meet with a 48.875 on vault. Rushlow captured her third career vault title with a 9.875. Senior Alissa Bonsall earned second on vault with a 9.850. Freshman Maddie Johnston collected a 9.775, while fellow freshman Natalie Cross tallied a 9.725. Sophomore Amy Bladon recorded a 9.650 and junior Donna Howell had a 9.550.
Nebraska recorded a 48.825 on vault, paced by 9.825 scores by Kinsey Davis and Chloe Lorange.
Penn State followed with a strong performance on bars, tallying a 48.975. Four Nittany Lions set or tied career highs. Rushlow claimed the event title, the second of her career on bars, with a 9.925, tying her career best. Senior Ava Verdeflor led off the rotation with a career-high 9.900, finishing second overall. Cross recorded a 9.800 to place fourth overall. Bonsall collected a 9.725, while freshmen Maggie Ayers and Johnston each recorded a 9.625.
The Huskers posted a 48.600 on bars, led by Davis' 9.825.
The blue and white recorded a 48.025 on beam. Rushlow led PSU on beam with a 9.825 to place fourth overall. Johnston tallied a 9.775, while sophomore Bella Romagnano notched a 9.750. Cross registered a 9.525, while Verdeflor had a 9.150 and Ayers had a 9.125.
Nebraska earned a 48.925 on beam, led by Makayla Curtis, Kaitlyn Higgins and Kynsee Roby who all collected a 9.875.
Penn State finished the night with a 49.225 on floor, paced by three career highs. Astarita won the event title for the second-straight meet, and the fifth time in her career, with a career high-tying 9.925. Senior Erynne Allen established a new career high with a 9.875 to finish second overall. Right behind was Rushlow with a career-best 9.850 to place third. Bonsall tallied a 9.800, while Ayers recorded a 9.775. Bladon recorded a 9.500.
The Huskers collected a 48.900 on floor, paced by Kylie Piringer's 9.850.
Rushlow won the all-around, bettering Nebraska's Lorange's 38.950.
The Nittany Lions travel to No. 4 Minnesota next Saturday, January 30, for a 2 p.m. meet.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
