Maryland gymnastics closes its season at NCAA regionals

The 50th season of Maryland Gymnastics is officially in the books. 

The Terps competed in the second round of the NCAA regionals against No. 5 Utah, No. 10 Michigan State, and No. 21 Towson. The Terps came in third place despite a solid performance.

“Each year, we’ve gotten better and better,” head coach Brett Nelligan said. “We just proved again today that we’re a program on the rise.”

The Terps began their day competing on bars. Three gymnasts recorded scores of 9.800 or higher, with senior Alexa Rothenbuescher compiling a score of 9.850. Junior Sierra Kondo also notched a 9.850. 

The Terps hit their stride in the second rotation, beam. Four gymnasts hit the 9.800 mark, with freshman Layla Hammer finishing as the team leader with a 9.875. Graduate student Emma Silberman, competing in her final meet with the Terps, earned a 9.850. Sophomore Maddie Komoroski struggled and ended with a 9.050. 

The Terps would have four gymnasts hit the 9.800 mark on floor as well, however, the unit was not as strong as it typically is. The team finished with a collective score of 49.000, with the highest individual score being a 9.825 from junior Rhea LeBlanc. Sophomore Taylor Rech and senior Tayler Osterhout finished their seasons with a 9.800 apiece. Rothenbuescher, who has recorded multiple scores of 9.900 on floor in the second half of the season, finished with a 9.775. 

The team saved their best for the vault. Silberman set a new career high, finishing with an astonishing 9.950, good enough to capture the event title. It’s likely the former walk-on’s last time competing with her teammates, although she may have the chance to represent the Terps at the national championship.

“You can’t write a better story than the career that Emma has had,” Nelligan said. “To potentially finish her career with a career-high on vault and a stuck landing, it really doesn’t get better than that.”

The Terps can look back on their 2024 campaign with gratitude, a term that the team used all year. After starting 3-7, the team won 10 straight and earned its highest ever standing at the Big Ten Championships. It’s a sign of things to come, according to Nelligan. 

“It’s an exciting time that we’re in right now,” Nelligan said. “The future is certainly bright, it’s an exciting time to be a Gym Terp.”