UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Women's Gymnastics posted a team score of 196.775 on Saturday evening at the Big Five Meet, the squad's best score in the event since 2016. The 196.775 mark is Penn State's second-highest score this season, only trailing its 197.025 against Minnesota.
On the evening, the Nittany Lions finished third among the five teams (Illinois, Iowa, Maryland and Michigan the others). Michigan earned the top overall mark on the night of 197.500.
The Nittany Lions once again earned consistent performances from all three of their all-arounders. Ava Piedrahita scored a 39.400 (fifth overall), while Maddie Johnston posted a 39.200 and Kalea McElligott finished with a 38.975. Johnston and Amani Herring each finished tied for second on the night in the vault as well, earning marks of 9.900.
ROTATION RECAP
On the floor exercise, Isabella Salcedo led the way for the Nittany Lions as she posted a final tally of 9.900, while freshman Alyssa Kramer tied her career-high with a 9.875 mark, her fifth 9.85-or-better score this season. Additionally, Herring and Piedrahita also posted 9.875 tallies, leading to Penn State's team finish of 49.350.
In vault action, the Nittany Lions logged a score of 49.225. Herring and Johnston each put up marks of 9.900, both career bests for the duo, to lead the Nittany Lions in the rotation. Piedrahita recorded a mark of 9.850, third-best among the group, while Jessica Johanson's 9.825 was a new season best.
Over on the uneven bars, Penn State finished with a score of 49.175. Piedrahita led the way with a 9.875, while Cassidy Rushlow posted a 9.850. Johanson's 9.825 was a season best for her on bars.
The Nittany Lions closed out the event with a 49.025 on the balance beam. Salcedo paced Penn State with a 9.875. Herring (9.825) and Piedrahita (9.800) also finished with marks of 9.8-or-better.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions return home on Friday, March 1 to host a quad meet with Ball State, Towson and West Virginia beginning at 6 p.m. in Rec Hall. The meet will serve as Penn State's senior day, presented by the Penn State Alumni Association.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and X/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).
