PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania gymnastics team got back to their winning ways on Friday night, combining to score 194.000 to defeat Bowling Green, Temple and West Chester at McGonigle Hall.
Natalie Yang captured beam glory with the event win, scoring a 9.800. The Quakers' score just edged Temple's 193.375, but easily outscored West Chester (192.000) and Bowling Green (188.700).
FULL RESULTS
BEAM | Penn 48.650
The Quakers started the day on beam, led by Yang's 9.800 which won the meet. All six competitors scored at least a 9.675 as Penn's total score beat the other three teams. Darcy Matsuda was second in line with a 9.750 before the freshmen Rebekah Lashley and McCaleigh Marr continued their incredible rookie seasons with a 9.700 and 9.725, respectively. Both Sydney Kraez and Darby Nelson finished with scores of 9.675 to cap Penn's scorers.
FLOOR | Penn 48.925
The Quakers' best rotation of the day was their second, racking up a 48.925 – also the best score of the meet. All five scorers hit huge routines for at least a 9.750, including Kraez's 9.825 which finished tied for the second-best score overall in the meet. Jordyn Mannino and Lashley each scored a 9.800, tying for fourth in the meet. Then, to cap the top five, both Edie Noor Graber and Matsuda scored a 9.750. All five Quakers finished inside the meet's top 10, an incredible feat.
VAULT | Penn 47.950
Penn was third on vault, but still within striking distance of the best team score, just .150 behind first-place Temple. Once more, all five Penn scorers all finished within .125 of one another. Lauren Joost hit a 9.650 to lead the way for the Red and Blue with Rose Hoffman and, once again, Lashley hit a 9.600. Kraez, who competes in the all-around, hit a 9.575 with Mannino rounding out the five with a 9.525.
BARS | Penn 48.475
The Quakers finished off their victory on bars with the meet's second-best score on the rotation. For the second rotation of the day, Kraez had the best score, earning a 9.725, just edging Libby Garfoot's and Marr's 9.700. Mannino and senior Alex Kothe weren't far behind the top three with matching scores of 9.675.
UP NEXT?
Penn is back in action next Friday night at West Virginia before heading into the ECAC Championships Sunday, March 21.
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