LOS ANGELES – No. 25 Penn State women’s gymnastics (8-3, 3-2 Big Ten) tallied a 195.450 team score as it fell to No. 5 UCLA late Friday night in Pauley Pavilion.
Sophomore star Kalea McElligott earned a career-best 39.275 all-around total in a daunting environment at the No. 5 team in the country. The Nittany Lions’ resilience and determination showed in its strong road showing all the way across the country.
McElligott earned a pair of 9.875 tallies in the third and fourth rotations as she helped her team finish strong as the clock ticked past midnight ET Friday into Saturday. Fifth-year athlete Maddie Johnston tallied 9.85 scores on the opening two rotations as Penn State received excellent performances throughout the night.
ROTATION RECAP
In traditional road dual format, the Nittany Lions started on bars where Gabbie Gallentine led the way with a stellar 9.875 score. Johnston tallied a 9.85 while freshman Dani Latronica picked up a 9.8. The consistent freshman has yet to score below 9.8 on bars this season. Penn State scored 48.825 team points in rotation number one.
Penn State’s vault group scored a 48.850 as they received a 9.85 from Johnston, and a 9.825 from freshman all-arounder Elizabeth Leary. McElligott posted a 9.775 as the Nittany Lions scored 48.825 points as a team in the second rotation.
On floor, the Nittany Lions posted another 48.825 as a spectacular 9.875 from McElligott led the way. Ashley Maul and Elina Vihrova earned 9.775s as the No. 2 and 3 scorers on Penn State’s floor team.
In the fourth and final rotation, Pen State earned its best team score of the night as it earned a 48.950 on beam. Led by another 9.875 from McElligott and a 9.8 from Latronica, the Nittany Lions closed out its dual with the Bruins on a high note.
McElligott finished third overall in the all-around with a season-best-tying 39.275.
WHAT'S NEXT
Penn State returns home to host No. 20 Ohio State on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. ET. The Nittany Lions will honor their graduating class with a special Senior Day ceremony, 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).