UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 21 Penn State women’s gymnastics scored 195.775 points to earn wins over both Penn (194.725) and New Hampshire (192.025) to open its 2025 season. 2,752 fans filled Rec Hall to witness the Nittany Lions begin their season 2-0.
Penn State’s 195.775 team tally is its highest in a season-opening home meet in program history. The mark is the Nittany Lions’ highest in an overall season-opening meet since it scored a 195.775 in 2012. The group remains undefeated against their in-state foe, moving to 11-0 against Penn, while earning their 29th all-time win against New Hampshire, compared to just five losses.
A pair of strong all-around performances from Kalea McElligott (39.150) and freshman Elizabeth Leary (39.050) fueled the Nittany Lions on all four events on Sunday afternoon. Scoring above 49.000 on both bars and floor, Penn State set an excellent benchmark for its 2025 campaign.
The Ann Carr award, given to the athlete who achieves the most inspirational performance of each meet, was earned by Leary for making her collegiate debut with a stellar showing in the all-around.
ROTATION RECAP
Penn State began with a 48.700 team score on vault, fronted by a 9.8 from Maddie Johnston. McElligott and freshman Elizabeth Leary tallied 9.75s as well.
Johnston once again led Penn State in rotation two as she collected a 9.85 in her first bars routine of the season. Serving as the team’s anchor in her first competition in the Blue & White, grad student Cassi Barbanente posted a 9.825. Jessica Johanson also turned in a 9.825 while Leary earned a 9.8. Penn State finished with a 49.025 on bars, its highest season-opening bars score since it posted a 49.225 on the apparatus in its 2022 opener.
Sophomore Ashley Maul wowed the crowd with a career-best 9.85 on beam, leading the group’s performance. McElligott collected a 9.825 while Johnston and freshman Ellie Monahan both earned 9.775s. Penn State earned a 48.975 on the apparatus.
The Nittany Lions closed their season-opener with their highest event total of the afternoon, earning a 49.075 on floor in the fourth rotation. 9.85 tallies for Johanson and McElligott gave the group a solid start while floor specialist Alyssa Kramer along with Leary earned 9.8 scores.
McElligott begins her season with a strong 39.150 in the all-around, improving her scores as she passed from event to event throughout the afternoon. In her first collegiate meet, Leary’s 39.050 all-around score sets a strong standard for her in her freshman campaign.
WHAT'S NEXT
Penn State will embark on its first road trip of the season as it travels to Texas next weekend for the San Antonio Invite on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. ET. The Nittany Lions will take on Big Ten foe No. 24 Maryland along with No. 17 Auburn, No. 20 Arizona State, and Temple.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and X/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).