COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland gymnastics team posted a season-high 49.075 on floor as the Terps battled with No. 11 Arkansas Friday night in the XFINITY Center. The Razorbacks won the event, 196.150-194.425.
“I think we're close to where we need to be,” head coach Brett Nelligan said. “Every week, it seems like there's one or two routines that if they went the other way, we'd be where we want to be. I thought vault was a good start, bars was good. There were some high spots on beam, and then floor was a great finish.”
Maryland highlighted the evening with floor in the final rotation. Three Terps tied their personal best scores, including Megan McClelland, Emily Brauckmuller and Kathy Tang. Leah Slobodin started the team off strong with a 9.700 and was followed by McClelland's 9.775. The next four gymnasts earned a 9.800 or higher, including 9.825 from Macey Roberts and a 9.875 from Tang in the anchor spot.
The Terps opened the event on vault, tallying a 48.700. Roberts tied her personal best with a 9.800 and Tang scored a 9.825.
Maryland moved to bars, where Sarah Faller led off with a 9.750. Abbie Epperson wowed the crowd with a 9.800 while McClelland and Tang both scored 9.700s. The team scored a 48.575 in the event.
The Terps faltered on beam, tallying a 48.075 team score. Nee performed well in the five-spot, earning a 9.750, and Slobodin anchored strong with a 9.825.
Epperson won the bars title and Tang won the floor title. Slobodin placed second on beam and Roberts finished second on floor.
Maryland has a quick turnaround as the Terps host Penn State Monday at 7 p.m. The meet was rescheduled from Jan. 24 due to Winter Storm Jonas. The Nittany Lions are the Terrapins third opponent at home in eight days. The meet will be streamed on BTN Plus.
-Maryland-
