PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania gymnastics team opened its 2020 campaign with a 192.650-191.425 loss to Towson at The Palestra on Sunday afternoon, despite an incredible final rotation of 48.700 on the floor.
Sydney Kraez enjoyed a banner season opener to win the vault and the floor, in addition the all-around crown.
VAULT | Penn: 48.250, Towson: 48.625
Sydney Kraez led the way on Penn's first rotation, laying down the best score of either team with a 9.775 on vault. Ava Caravela, who competed right before Kraez in the lineup was next best for the Quakers with a 9.700. Towson, however, put together a terrific rotation on vault with a combined score of 48.625 as all five scorers earning at least a 9.675. For Penn, Lauren Joost and freshman Rebekah Lashley scoring a 9.625 each. Rose Hoffman rounded out the Quaker five with a 9.525 to combine for a 48.250 on vault.
BARS | Penn: 47.100, Towson: 48.375
The Tigers surged ahead on the uneven bars with another tremendous rotation, monopolizing the top-three positions with scores of 9.775, 9.750 and a 9.700. After those three, Penn's Jordyn Mannino and Rose Hoffman took the next two spots with a 9.675 and 9.650, respectively. Kellie Flavin scored a 9.600 and Kraez totaled a 9.475.
BEAM | Penn: 47.375, Towson 47.500
Natalie Yang, who broke on to the scene last year as a freshman, excelled to open her sophomore season with a 9.825 to win the beam and Sydney Kraez's 9.675 earned her third place on the day. Lashley, who enjoyed a quality first meet, scored a 9.625 to wind up fifth overall. Darcy Matsuda and Darby Nelson rounded out the five scorers with a 9.175 and 9.075, respectively.
FLOOR | Penn 48.700, Towson 48.150
The Quakers ended the day in style, racking up what was easily their best performance. On the floor, Penn racked up a 48.700, outscoring Towson by more than five tenths. Four athletes in the Red and Blue earned at least a 9.750, led by Kraez's 9.800, the best score of the day. Lashley scored a 9.775 and both Mannino and Matsuda hit a 9.750 to cap an incredible rotation. Nelson rounded out the scoring five with a 9.625.
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