UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's gymnastics team (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten) travels to Rutgers (3-4, 0-1 Big Ten) for a Thursday night matchup against the Scarlet Knights. The meet is slated for a 6 p.m. start time and will air on the Big Ten Network.
The Nittany Lions seek a momentum-builder on Thursday night as they competed tough but ultimately fell to No. 16 Michigan State last Friday in Rec Hall. Penn State set its season high on balance beam against the Spartans, a 49.325 total, and went 195.950 as a team, but couldn't overcome a strong night from Michigan State in the end. A 9.95 for Isabella Salcedo and a 9.9 from Haleigh Gibble on beam were the Nittany Lions' top scores of the night.
Rutgers enters Thursday's matchup with a 3-4 record, including a Big Ten loss to No. 23 Maryland last weekend. Penn State is 26-2 all-time against the Scarlet Knights since the programs first met in 1979.
TUNE IN LIVE
Live Results | Big Ten Network Broadcast
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions used a strong outing on the balance beam to battle with No. 16 Michigan State last Friday night in Happy Valley.
VAULT – No. 30
Ava Piedrahita fronted the Nittany Lions' vault rotation against Michigan State, going 9.875, receiving a 9.95 from judge two and a 9.8 from judge one on her routine. Overall, the Nittany Lions sit at No. 30 in the nation on the event.
BARS – No. 42
Penn State received three 9.8-plus scores on bars against Michigan State last time out, led by Maddie Johnston's 9.825. Cassidy Rushlow and Kalea McElligott each posted a 9.8.
BALANCE BEAM – No. 16
The Nittany Lions performed brilliantly on the balance beam against the Spartans, led by Salcedo's career-high-tying 9.95. Gibble also scored a 9.9, tying her career high as well. Amani Herring impressed with a 9.85 while McElligott turned in a 9.825 performance.
Penn State's beam squad is currently ranked No. 16 in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten as the team heads into Thursday's competition against Rutgers.
FLOOR – No. 40
In the fourth and final rotation against Michigan State, freshman Alyssa Kramer posted a career-best 9.875, tying Herring for the team lead in the event. Kramer has improved her floor score in every meet this season.
All-Around
Piedrahita and McElligott both competed the all-around once again, each recording a 39.150.
WHAT'S NEXT
Penn State returns home on Saturday, Feb. 3 for a 2 p.m. meet against Minnesota.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and X/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
