COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Freshman Macey Roberts impressed the crowd and tied for first with a 9.900 on floor as the Maryland gymnastics team fell just short in its home opener against Iowa, 196.275-195.500, Sunday afternoon in the XFINITY Center.
"I'm really proud of how the team competed today,” head coach Brett Nelligan said. “I thought we did some really great things out there, but we also see where we can improve. It was a great atmosphere for our home opener and after having last weekend off; we were excited to be competing again.”
The Terps crossed the 195.000 threshold for the first time this season in just their third meet. Maryland also recorded season highs on beam (48.800) and floor (49.025).
Roberts was one of three gymnasts to set personal bests on floor, including sophomore Abbie Epperson (9.850) and freshman Megan McClelland (9.775). Roberts also set a person record on vault with a 9.775 while McClelland's 9.725 on beam was a personal best. Sophomore Evelyn Nee tied her personal record on bars with a 9.875.
The team began the afternoon on vault, where senior Kathy Tang led the team with a 9.800. Junior Sarah Faller started the team off with a strong performance and a 9.750.
The Terps posted their strong performance on uneven bars with four gymnasts scoring a 9.800 or above Nee led Maryland and tied for first on the apparatus with a 9.875. Epperson tallied a 9.850 while McClelland scored a 9.825 and Tang notched a 9.800.
Tang again led the team on balance beam, scoring a 9.825 while a trio of Terps (Faller, Nee, Roberts) tallied 9.750s.
Maryland finished the event on floor, where Roberts' 9.900 drew loud applause from the home crowd. Epperson and junior Leah Slobodin also impressed on the apparatus.
Tang placed third on vault and beam, and finished second in the all-around with a 39.150.
The Terps are back in action on Monday, Feb. 8, at No. 3 Michigan for a tri-meet with No. 24 Eastern Michigan. Maryland competed against Eastern Michigan in the season opener at Pitt on January 10.
– Maryland –
