March 11, 2012

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After recording a season-high total last weekend at New Hampshire, the Maryland gymnastics team scored a season-high 195.075 Sunday afternoon at Comcast Center in a tri-meet against Bridgeport and Penn. It is the first time since Feb. 18, 2011, the Terps topped 195 points (vs. Penn St. with Rutgers and William & Mary, 195.300).

Maryland's standout performance was highlighted by a season-high 49.050 on bars as the Terps won the meet with Bridgeport taking second (192.950) and Penn finishing third (191.650).

In their final home meet, seniors Kyra Phillips and Becca Pang turned in a fitting finale. Phillips tied career highs on bars and floor while Pang scored her third highest total of the season on beam.

""The team decided they wanted to put it all together for our seniors," said head coach Brett Nelligan. "The team did a great job and our seniors did a great job. [They] were 4 for 4 on their events. Kyra [Phillips] finished the night with an incredible floor routine. It was a really great night."

In the first rotation, the Terps took four of the top-5 spots on vault led by junior Ally Krikorian. Krikorian won gold with a 9.850 and Phillips and sophomore Katy Dodds tied for third with a 9.825. Freshman Stephanie Giameo completed the top 5 with a personal-best 9.775.

For the second consecutive meet, sophomore Karen Tang scored a career-high tying 9.875 to finish first on bars. Phillips tied for the silver with a 9.825 and Dodds tied a career-best 9.800 to tie for fifth.

""The last couple of weeks [bars] have come on extremely strong," said Nelligan. "I'm really happy with the way we are competing on bars."

The Terps swept the awards on beam. Sophomore Elizabethe Manzi posted a season-high 9.775 to win the event. Freshman Shannon Skochko tied a career high 9.750 to place second and Giameo took the bronze with a 9.725.

On floor, four Terps posted a 9.800 or better. Dodds had another outstanding performance to close the meet. The Gaithersburg, Md., native won with a 9.875. Dodds has scored a 9.800 or better in 8 of 10 meets this season. Junior Kesley Cofsky, Krikorian and Phillips all tied for third with a 9.800.

"Tonight we had a season high and we still haven't done our best gymnastics," said Nelligan. "It is still to come. I think we are going to put it all together soon."

The Terps conclude the regular season at Penn State on Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m.