COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland gymnastics team earned its second score over 196 this season to win the Maryland Five Meet on Sunday. The team claimed podium finishes on each event to notch an overall score of 196.325.
The Terps picked up wins over West Chester (193.325), Cornell (193.225), Southern Connecticut (192.000) and Bridgeport (191.900). Maryland has scored over a 195 in ten straight meets. The Terps went 24-for-24 for the first time this year and earned 10 career-high scores Sunday afternoon.
“I'm blown away. This team is so tough and so talented. They impress me more and more every week,” said head coach Brett Nelligan. “Scoring over a 196 is a validation of all the hard work they put into it in the gym every single day. I'm thrilled for them, it was a great show for last home meet of the season.”
Freshman Audrey Barber posted a 39.200 to earn the all-around title. Sophomore Kirsten Peterman placed third with a 38.775.
After a bye in the first rotation, the Terps began the meet on vault. Peterman led Maryland with a 9.700 while fellow sophomore Deanna Magro earned a 9.725, sophomore by freshman Emma Johnson and Barber with a pair of 9.675s. Freshman Collea Burgess tallied a 9.750, sophomore Alecia Farina anchored with a 9.825 to win the event title.
The Terps moved to bars, where freshman Emilie LeBlanc paced the team with a career-high score of 9.900 to clench the event title. Senior Evelyn Nee, junior Shynelle Agaran and freshman Karrie Thomas each posted personal-best scores of 9.875s.
Maryland was up next on beam. The GymTerps secured each podium spot in the event, with Barber's career-high score of 9.850 in first place, Agaran's 9.825 in second, and LeBlanc's 9.800 in third.
The Terrapins finished the meet on floor, where the team scored their best event score of the meet with a 49.400. Peterman and Nee led the team with a pair of 9.825s and freshman Sabriyya Rouse followed with a career-high score of 9.875. Thomas was up next and earned a career-high 9.900 on the apparatus, and Farina earned a personal-best score of her own with a 9.925. Barber anchored and notched another 9.875 for the team.
The Terps will return to competition next Saturday, March 17 at the Big Five meet in East Lansing, Michigan. The Big Five Meet, which will be televised on the Big Ten Network, serves as a qualifier for the Big Ten Championship.
-Maryland-
