COLUMBUS, Ohio – Earning the Terps' highest beam score of the season, the Maryland gymnastics team earned a 195.500 at the B1G Five Meet Saturday.
“I was impressed with the team's performances and efforts today," head coach Brett Nelligan said. “I think we were able to put together strong routines in every event and I'm proud of the hard work they've put in to get here.”
Nebraska placed first in the meet with a 197.000 while Michigan State placed second with a 196.350. Ohio State earned third place with a 196.100 and Illinois finished fourth with a 195.950.
Senior Kathy Tang returned to the beam rotation and all-around competition. Tang earned a 9.700 or higher on every event and finished with a 39.100 all-around score.
After a bye in the first rotation, the Terps began the event on floor, where the team earned a 49.150. Maryland started strong on the event with no gymnast scoring under a 9.800. Junior Leah Slobodin led off with a 9.825 and freshman Megan McClelland followed with a 9.800. Junior Emily Brauckmuller set a personal record with a 9.850 and was followed by 9.800s from freshman Macey Roberts and sophomore Abbie Epperson. Tang anchored with a 9.875.
The team moved to vault, where the Terps posted a 48.725 off six straight 9.700s or higher. Junior Sarah Faller and Brauckmuller led Maryland first with a pair of 9.725s. Roberts earned a 9.750 and sophomore Dominiquea Trotter scored a 9.775. Tang followed with a 9.700 and sophomore Evelyn Nee anchored with a 9.750.
Faller led off on bars with a 9.725. Nee earned a 9.800 on the event while Epperson posted a 9.750. Tang anchored strong with a 9.725 as the team posted a 48.625 team score.
The Terps finished the event on beam, where the team earned a season-high 49.000 and didn't count a fall. McClelland scored a 9.725 while Tang and Trotter earned back-to-back 9.800s. Nee posted a 9.825 and Epperson anchored with a 9.850.
Trotter tied for ninth on vault while Nee tied for seventh on bars. Epperson tied for seventh on beam and Tang tied for seventh on floor.
The Terps will compete in the early session of the Big Ten Championships next Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. The meet is scheduled for noon, and Maryland will compete against Illinois, Iowa and Rutgers.
– Maryland –
