NEW HAVEN, Conn. - A strong afternoon on beam was enough to push the University of Pennsylvania gymnastics team past Yale on Saturday afternoon, as the Quakers edged the Bulldogs 191.900 - 191.475. The win is the first of the season for the Red and Blue as Penn notched individual victories in two events on the day. 

BARS
The Quakers started the day on beam, and were once again led from the anchor position by senior captain Kyra Levi. Levi landed a routine for a score of 9.700, but before the Pennsylvania native stuck her landing, Caroline Mitsch, Allison Frommer, Darby Nelson and Tara Mills all scored in the event as well for the Red and Blue. Mitsch notched a score of 9.625, while the rookie duo of Nelson and Frommer both recorded 9.500, giving Penn a team score of 47.700, finishing above Yale's mark of 47.650. 

VAULT
Next up was vault, where Penn saw some struggles, but ended the event on a high note. Senior Ally Podsednik stepped up to the mat in the anchor spot and delivered a 9.750, edging out Caroline Moore's score of 9.675 for the team-best as well as the event win, as the Red and Blue finished with a score of 47.300. 

FLOOR
Penn was again consistent in its results on floor, flexing it's muscle in the most creative of the four rotations. Levi led the way again with a mark of 9.750, while both Nelson and Hartke notched 9.700's to end the rotation. Morgan Hunker appeared in her first scored-action since a season-ending injury last season, notching a 9.450, while Matsuda and Jordyn Mannino continued their freshman year appearances. 

BEAM
The Quakers would seal the victory on beam, proving to be the highlight of the day for Penn. The Quakers were led by three scores of 9.700 or above, including back-to-back routines good for scores of 9.775. Alex Hartke kicked things off with a solid routine of 9.650, before Levi made her beam season-debut at 9.725. Nelson went third, landing a 9.625, before  Podsednik followed with a 9.650. Darcy Matsuda and  Moore wrapped up the rotation with identical scores of 9.775, giving Penn a team score of 48.575, and when compared to Yale's score of 47.300, proved to be the difference maker in the meet. Matsuda and Moore shared the individual title in the meet for the Quakers. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Quakers return home for their first home meet of the season, set to face SEMO inside of Rockwell Gym Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.