COLLEGE PARK, Md. – After posting two wins in the opening weekend of the season, the Maryland gymnastics team moved up seven spots to No. 25 in the national poll, as released by RoadtoNationals.com.
The Terps earned a 194.400 at the Pittsburgh Quad-Meet Sunday, the team's highest start to a season since 2013. Maryland picked up wins over Pittsburgh (191.050) and Towson (192.775).
In addition to the overall ranking, the Terps are tied for sixth nationally on uneven bars and are tied for 19th in the nation on balance beam.
The Terrapins excelled on uneven bars in their first meet, scoring a 49.125 with no gymnast posting under a 9.750. Sophomore Abbie Epperson won the apparatus with a 9.875 while freshman Megan McClelland impressed in her collegiate debut and tied for second with a 9.850. Epperson is tied for 15th nationally on bars while McClelland is tied for 22nd.
Senior Kathy Tang and sophomore Evelyn Nee led the Terps on beam, tying for second at the meet with 9.875s. The duo currently leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth nationally on the apparatus. Junior Sarah Faller set a career high with a 9.825 on beam and is tied for eighth in the conference.
Tang earned a 39.025 in the all-around, which ties her for sixth in the Big Ten. Tang is also tied for fifth in the conference on vault (9.850).
In the Big Ten, Maryland sits at fourth while ranking second in the conference on uneven bars and third on balance beam.
The Terps were ranked No. 32 in the NACGC/W Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Terps face No. 23 Minnesota (1-0) in Minneapolis this Saturday to open Big Ten competition. The meet is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be live streamed on BTN Plus. In Maryland's first-ever Big Ten meet last season, the Terps upset then-No. 11 Minnesota.
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