Terps Visit #13 Penn State In First Road Trip Of Year
1/23/2015 9:30:00 AM | Gymnastics
COLLEGE PARK, Md.—The Maryland gymnastics team heads to Happy Valley for a matchup against conference opponent #13 Penn State, Saturday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. at Rec Hall. The GymTerps (2-1, 1-0 B1G) look to maintain momentum after defeating then-ranked #11 Minnesota 194.325-193.350 last week.
Coming off a strong performance in their Big Ten opener, Maryland will aim to even their record in the first conference meeting between the two programs. Saturday's meet marks the Terrapins' first road trip of the season.
Against Minnesota, senior Karen Tang tied a school record and set a personal record on bars with a score of 9.925. Tang won Maryland's only event title of the meet on bars. Senior Stephanie Giameo tallied a 9.850 on beam and Seniors Katy Dodds and Ebony Walters solidified the win with a pair of 9.875 on floor in the final rotation.
The team earned a team score of 48.800 or higher on vault, bars and floor, with a meet-high team score of 49.000 on floor. In a young season, the Terps registered a season-high total score of 194.325.
With strong performances on both vault and floor in the past two meets, the Terps have garnered a national ranking on both apparatuses. The team ranks 10th nationally on floor and tied for 17th on vault. In the Big Ten, the team ranks third on floor and tied for fourth on vault.
Last season both Maryland and Penn State competed in the University Park NCAA Regional with the Terps placing sixth. The meeting marked the sixth consecutive postseason appearance for Maryland, the longest streak in program history.
LAST TIME OUT
· The Terps toppled #11 Minnesota 194.325-193.250 in the team's inaugural Big Ten meet. A strong team performance on floor (49.100) and vault (48.950) led Maryland to victory.
· With the victory, the Terps move to 1-2 overall on the season and 1-0 in the Big Ten.
· Senior Karen Tang registered a meet-high score of 9.925 on bars and won the individual title on bars.
SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS
· #13 Penn State fell to #8 Nebraska 196.025-197.125 in a meet that was broadcasting on national television.
· The team registered a season-high team score of 196.025 against Nebraska with senior Sidney Sanabria-Robles tying a career-best in the all-around.
· Penn State ranks 11th on vault, ninth on uneven bars, 24th on beam and 22nd on floor nationally.
MARYLAND VS. PENN STATE
· Today's meet marks the 16th head-to-head meeting between the two programs and the first as members of the Big Ten. Penn State holds a 14-2 all-time advantage.
· The Terps last faced the Nittany Lions March 17, 2012 when Penn State narrowly edged the Terps 195.550-196.500 in Happy Valley.
BEAM ME UP, STEPHY
· Senior Stephanie Giameo currently ranks tied for 15th in the nation and tied for third in the Big Ten on vault. She tallied a season-high score of 9.875 vs. WVU and GW (1/8).
· Giameo anchored the Terps on beam vs. Minnesota (1/15) recording a 9.850 and placing second individually on the event.
'FLOORED' BY WALTERS
· Senior Ebony Walters currently ranks tied for 25th in the nation and tied for sixth in the Big Ten on floor. She tallied a season-high score of 9.875 vs. Minnesota (1/15).
TOP TEN TEAM RANKING ON FLOOR
· Maryland currently ranks tenth in the nation and third in the Big Ten on floor. The team recorded a season-high team score of 49.100 vs. WVU and GW (1/8).
· The GymTerps recorded a team score of 49.000 on floor vs. Minnesota (1/8). Katy Dodds and Ebony Walters both registered a 9.875 on the event and tied for second individually.
VAULTING TO THE TOP
· Maryland currently ranks tied for 17th in the nation and tied for fourth in the Big Ten on vault. The Terps tallied a season-high team score of 48.975 vs. WVU and GW (1/8).
· The GymTerps recorded a score a team score of 48.950 on vault vs. Minnesota (1/8). Katy Dodds, Shannon Skochko and Kathy Tang all recorded a 9.825 on the event and tied for third individually.
THE 'B1G' 4-0
· The 2015 campaign marks the 40th season of gymnastics at the University of Maryland. Prior to the season, Maryland gymnastics held a program record of 604-519-6 with a 95-80 conference mark over the 40-year tenure.
· The season also marks the Terps inaugural season in the Big Ten conference.
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
· Maryland senior Katy Dodds and Penn State senior Lexi Carroll both attended Magruder High School in Rockville, Md. Both competed for Hills Gymnastics as well.
· Maryland freshman Rachel Gurnett and Penn State freshman Oni Timothy both hail from Rochester, N.Y. and competed at the Rochester Gymnastics Academy.
· Maryland freshman Abbie Epperson and Penn State sophomore Emma Sibson both hail from Allen, Tx.
EVENT MULTIMEDIA
· Fans can watch the meet through GoPSUSports ($) HERE and follow along with live stats HERE. Also, follow @TerpsGymnastics on Twitter for live updates throughout the meet.
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