PHILADELPHIA – For the third time in as many meets, the University of Pennsylvania gymnastics team eclipsed the 193 threshold and earned a victory over William & Mary as part of Sunday's "Rumble & Tumble" event at The Palestra.
The "Rumble & Tumble," an afternoon that pitted both gymnastics and wrestling against William & Mary and Cal Baptist, respectively, on The Palestra floor together, proved to be a success for the Quakers, as gymnastics prevailed 193.025-192.850 over the Tribe, while wrestling cruised to a big win.
With the Ivy Classic awaiting Penn next weekend, on Sunday, Feb. 24, the Quakers seem to be peaking at the right time. Penn didn't hit 193 the first three meets, but reached it in each of the last three competitions.
VAULT
Penn started on vault with a massive score of 48.500, tied for the fifth-best in program history. Three Quakers earned career highs, started by Lauren Joost's 9.650 to lead off the event. Valerie Rube, one of five gymnasts honored on Senior Day, unleashed her best performance of her career with a 9.775 before Rose Hoffman earned a 9.650 in her first time on vault this season. Caroline Moore and Sydney Kraez brought Penn home with a 9.625 and 9.800, respectively. Moore, another one of the seniors, picked up a score of at least a 9.625 for the fifth time in six meets this year, and Kraez, a freshman, hit 9.800 for the second time.
BARS
Libby Garfoot began the second rotation with a 9.700, a career high. Caroline Mitsch earned a 9.625 before Hoffman continued her impressive meet with a 9.650, her second best score of the season. To close out the rotation, Allison Frommer picked up a 9.625, the fifth time in six meets she's earned at least that score and Jordyn Mannino was scored a 9.525 to push Penn to 48.150 on the uneven bars.
BEAM
Exactly how vault began, Joost set a career high on the beam with a 9.750, capping a remarkable afternoon. Moore matched that score to lead Penn, the fifth time the senior has hit at least a 9.750 this season, while freshman Natalie Yang wasn't far behind with a 9.725. Yang has picked up at least a 9.700 in every meet this year. Rounding out Penn's top-five scorers were Nicole Swirbalus, another senior, and Darby Nelson, with scores of 9.525 and 9.500.
FLOOR
Heading to the final rotation, Penn held just a .775 lead. That advantage grew when Darcy Matsuda laid down a massive 9.850 to start the rotation, the best of her season. Then, on Senior Day, Moore and Morgan Hunker impressed with their best scores of the season, earning 9.775's to cement the victory. Mannino had another successful routine with a 9.750, and she has finished with at least a 9.675 in all six meets. As a group, Penn finished with a 48.125.
WHAT'S NEXT
Next Sunday, Feb. 24, Penn will compete at The Palestra for the fourth and final time of the season, as the Quakers host the Ivy Classic. First rotation is set for a 1 p.m. start.
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