Maryland gymnastics finishes first at Yale Quad with season best score of 197.300

Maryland gymnastics had itself a busy weekend, coming in first place in the Maryland Quad on Friday night before hitting the road to compete in the Yale Quad in New Haven, Connecticut on Sunday. 

The latter was the team’s best meet all season, finishing in first place with a score of 197.300. The Terps (9-7) defeated Yale (194.925), New Hampshire (194.525) and Southern Connecticut State (192.300). It is the first time since March 12, 2023 where the Terps surpassed the 197 mark, when they scored a 197.100 in the Maryland Five Meet. 

Maryland has had troubles this season both at the beginning of meets and on bars. Neither was the case today. The Terps came out and put up a collective score of 49.400, their best of the season. Five out of six competing gymnasts finished with a 9.850 or higher, with senior Alexa Rothenbuescher leading the way with a 9.925 — that score earned her the event title.

“Bars was incredible tonight,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “This is the team I believed they could be at the beginning of the year, and I think we’re putting it together at the right time.”

The squad kept it rolling on beam, where they delivered a team score of 49.225. Sophomore Maddie Komoroski finished with a 9.925, tying her career record that she just set Friday night — she took home the event title. Graduate student Emma Silberman, who was back to competing in multiple rotations on Friday night after a bit of a hiatus, returned to her dominant ways, finishing with a 9.875. 

Maryland didn’t slow down. In the third rotation, floor — where the team has had recent success — the Terps delivered another collective score of 49.400. Three gymnasts notched a score of 9.900 or higher. Komoroski captured this title as well with another 9.925, while Rothenbuescher and junior Rhea LeBlanc both finished with a 9.900. 

“It definitely took a lot of energy,” Rothenbuescher said regarding feeling tired and sore deep into the meet. “But I knew I had to get it done and I knew I could pull out a good score.”

The Terps competed on vault to close things out. They completed a clean sweep of scoring a 49.000 or higher across all four rotations, ending the day with a 49.275. Freshman Natalie Martin set a new career-high with a 9.925, while four other gymnasts finished with a score of 9.800 or higher. 

“It’s a mentality thing. I asked them to come in and just be a presence the second we walked in that building,” Nelligan said of his team’s dominance. “They took it and ran with it. They walked in believing in themselves and believing they could have this type of performance. They put it all together and it was so fun to watch.”

It was a career day for the Gym Terps, who were at the lowest point of their season just a week ago. But after two quick first place finishes, Maryland has found itself back with a winning record and in control for the remainder of their 2024 campaign. The Terps will be back in action on Thursday when they take on Temple, North Carolina State and Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.