UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's gymnastics team (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) will travel to East Lansing, Michigan this weekend for a meet against No. 13 Michigan State (3-1, 2-0 Big Ten) in Jenison Field House on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
Penn State will compete in its second meet of the week following its 196.550-195.150 victory over Rutgers on Monday night. On their way to a season-best outing, The Nittany Lions received two scores of 9.925 or better against the Scarlet Knights. Senior Cassidy Rushlow posted a 9.95 effort as the bars anchor for the Nittany Lions, tying the fourth-highest mark on the event in Penn State history. Additionally, Elina Vihrova put up a career-high 9.925 on the floor to lead Penn State to a season-high 49.150 on the apparatus.
The Nittany Lions own a 23-6 all-time record against the Spartans, dating back to 1965. Michigan State enters competition against Penn State following its 196.950-196.425 win at Maryland on Sunday afternoon.
TUNE IN LIVE
Live Results | Live Stream
LAST TIME OUT
With no competition in week four, the Nittany Lions' saw minor fluctuation in their national rankings heading into this week's competition. Penn State's two meets this week, however, will make an impact in their national rankings heading into next week.
The Nittany Lions set or tied three season-best event marks on their way to a season-high 196.550 score last time out against Rutgers on Monday night.
VAULT – No. 34
The Nittany Lions began the evening on vault, finishing with a 48.975. Maddie Johnston, along with freshmen Amani Herring and Ava Piedrahita all earned 9.800 on the event. The scores for Johnston and Herring tied their season-best marks.
BARS – No. 25
Penn State next moved to bars where Rushlow stole the show by earning a career-high 9.950 with an amazing routine to earn the event win. Close behind were Piedrahita, who earned a career-high 9.875, Johnston, and Elina Vihrova who both received 9.825s. Vihrova's score, along with Jessica Johanson's 9.800 were both season bests. Maggie Mace made her season debut on the apparatus with a 9.700. Penn State's 49.225 was its highest score in any event so far this season.
BALANCE BEAM – No. 27
The Nittany Lions' 27th-ranked beam group tied its season-best output in the event with a 49.150 against the Scarlet Knights. Sophomore Isabella Salcedo turned in a career-high 9.875 and topped the event. Freshman Haleigh Gibble matched her career-high with a 9.850, while Rushlow and Herring aided a strong effort on the beam, both posting 9.800 scores.
FLOOR – No. 40
The Nittany Lions really brought the energy in their final rotation on the floor where Vihrova posted a career-high 9.925 to claim the victory. Piedrahita recorded a solid 9.825 while Rushlow tallied her second season-best score of the night with a 9.775. Herring anchored the group with a career-best 9.875.
All-Around
In the all-around, Piedrahita and Johnston both hit career-best marks. Piedrahita posted a 39.225 across all four events while Johnston racked up 39.175 points. Piedrahita earned her second all-around win this season as a Nittany Lion has now been crowned all-around winner in all but one meet in 2023.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Following its trip to Michigan State, the Nittany Lions will return home to Rec Hall on Friday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. for a meet against Nebraska.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
