PITTSBURGH – Sophomore Abbie Epperson placed first on uneven bars as the No. 32 Maryland gymnastics team scored a 194.400 to begin the 2016 season with victories over Pitt (191.050) and Towson (192.775) at the Pittsburgh Quad Meet Sunday. Eastern Michigan won the meet with a 194.875.
"This was a really great start for us,” head coach Brett Nelligan said. “I know the team was disappointed not to come out in first, but we did a lot of important things really well today. I think we proved to ourselves that we're a good team and we have a chance to make this a special season."
Epperson led the Terps with a 9.875 on bars, which was the team's strongest apparatus of the day. Maryland tallied a 49.125 on bars with no gymnast posting under a 9.750. Freshman Megan McClelland turned in a great performance in her collegiate debut and earned a 9.850, tying for second place, while junior Sarah Faller notched a 9.825.
"Bars were great tonight, we were really in the zone,” Nelligan added. “The team has worked so hard on that event and it's awesome to see it all come together like that. They were on fire today."
The Terps started the afternoon on floor, where junior Emily Brauckmuller led the team with a 9.675. The team totaled a 48.025, the Terps' lowest event total for the day.
Maryland moved to vault, where senior Kathy Tang stuck her landing and impressed with a 9.850 to tie for second on the apparatus. Epperson tallied a 9.725 while Brauckmuller and Faller each notched 9.700s as the Terrapins scored a 48.075.
The Terps finished the afternoon on balance beam, where Tang and sophomore Evelyn Nee tied for second with a pair of 9.875s. Faller also had a strong showing on the apparatus, setting a new career high with a 9.825. Maryland tallied a 48.600 on the event.
Epperson and Tang both competed in the all-around, with Tang placing third with a 39.025. Epperson competed in the all-around for the first time in her career.
"Kathy had a great meet,” Nelligan said. “She's really put in a ton of work this year. I know she wants to leave her mark here at Maryland this last year."
Freshmen McClelland, Macey Roberts and Alex Robinson made their debuts in Pittsburgh with the trio making important contributions to the Maryland lineup. McClelland earned second place on bars. Robinson competed vault and bars while Roberts competed on vault, beam and floor.
"I was really impressed with our freshman tonight,” Nelligan said. “We've got some great young competitors, who will be exciting to watch as the year goes on."
The Terps and Panthers will compete again this season in the Maryland Five Meet in College Park on March 6.
The Terps begin Big Ten competition Saturday as Maryland travels to No. 20 Minnesota for a 4 p.m. meet. The Terps and Gophers showdown will be streamed on BTN Plus. Maryland won its first-ever Big Ten meet when the Terps upset then-No. 11 Minnesota last season.
– Maryland –
