UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 25 Penn State women’s gymnastics (9-3, 4-2 Big Ten) bested No. 22 Ohio State in a hard-fought battle during Senior Day, scoring a season-best 196.525.
The Nittany Lions’ strongest vault rotation of the season opened the meet, with career-bests from three gymnasts. Penn State used a sensational floor routine by Kalea McElligott to clinch the win against Ohio State. Strong routines throughout the afternoon resulted in a meet full of career and season highs for the Nittany Lions. It was the first time the Nittany Lions have beaten Ohio State in a regular season dual meet since 2019.
Fifth-year Maddie Johnston won the Ann Carr award, thanks to her outstanding performance on vault, uneven bars, and beam.
ROTATION RECAP
The Nittany Lions began the meet on vault, with each counted routine scoring a 9.8-or-higher. Freshman Ellie Monahan started the event, earning a career-high of 9.8. Senior Elina Vihrova followed with a season-high of her own, posting a 9.85. Career-high performances from Allison Kaempfer and Elizabeth Leary propelled the Nittany Lions to an early lead. Kaempfer recorded a 9.825, and Leary tallied a 9.85. Johnston closed out the rotation with a stuck landing, tying her career-high of 9.9 on the event. The team’s performance earned them a season-high on the rotation with a 49.225.
Johnston began the Nittany Lions’ rotation on uneven bars with a 9.8. Gabbie Gallentine continued the rotation with a 9.875. Freshman Dani Latronica tallied a career-high score of 9.9 to keep Penn State in the lead. Graduate student Cassi Barbanente anchored the rotation with a stick, tying her career-high with a 9.875. Penn State earned an excellent 49.225 on bars in rotation two.
Sophomores Ashley Maul and Kalea McElligott both recorded scores of 9.8 on beam. Three consecutive sticks allowed the Nittany Lions to remain in control. Seniors Isabella Salcedo and Johnston tallied season-highs on the event, Salcedo with a 9.85 and Johnston with a 9.875 as the Nittany Lions’ anchor. Latronica also posted a career-high 9.85 on the event.
Maul started off the final rotation of the night with a 9.725 on floor. Leary finished her all-around afternoon with a 9.775 on the event. Sophomore Alyssa Kramer boosted the Nittany Lions with a 9.875 on floor. McElligott finished out the night with a 9.825, ultimately propelling the Nittany Lions to victory.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions head to Iowa for the 2025 Big 4 meet where it will take on the host Hawkeyes as well as No. 7 Michigan State and Washington at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. The meet is slated to be televised on the Big Ten Network.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensGymnastics) and X/Instagram (@pennstatewgym).