Maryland gymnastics snaps losing skid in 196.675-196.125 win over No. 24 Nebraska

Following a hot start to the season where it started 2-0, Maryland gymnastics dropped two games in a row to ranked Big Ten opponents in No. 15 Ohio State and No. 16 Minnesota. 

On Saturday, the Terps welcomed their third straight ranked Big Ten foe in the No. 24 Nebraska Cornhuskers, looking to put that streak to an end. 

Maryland did just that. Using excellent performances on bars and floor, the Terps (3-2, 2-2 Big Ten) defeated the Cornhuskers (4-4, 2-2 Big Ten), 196.675-196.125. The squad moved back to .500 in conference play and above the threshold on the season. 

The Terps were aided by an excellent home crowd at Xfinity Center. Saturday night meets are a rarity, and Maryland gymnastics fans didn’t let it go to waste. The team also hosted three different youth gymnastics programs, who cheered the loudest out of anybody in the crowd.

“Our crowds have been outstanding this year,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “Our fans have been outstanding and especially on floor they give us that extra energy that we need to finish the meet strong. Just so thankful and I hope they all come out again on March 1st to send our seniors off in style.”

Just like every home meet, the Terps started out on vault. They didn’t have the strongest start, but performances from freshman Natalie Martin (9.850) and junior Josephine Kogler (9.825) kept Maryland close to Nebraska after the first rotation. The Cornhuskers led heading into bars, 49.425-49.000. 

But that lead didn’t last as the Terps put on an absolute show on bars — five out of six competing gymnasts scored a 9.825 or higher. Juniors Lindsay Bacheler and Rhea LeBlanc stole the show, both putting up a score of 9.900, a new career-best for both gymnasts in the event. Coupled with a poor performance from Nebraska on vault, Maryland found itself with a 98.300-97.925 lead. 

“Bars was outstanding tonight,” Nelligan said. “I think we’ve known all along this year that bars can be a really strong event for us and we just haven’t put it all together. And I really challenged them this week … and oh my gosh, they knocked it out of the park.”

“We really just focused on every single detail and getting one percent better every day,” LeBlanc said. “I think having each other and knowing that we could go for everything without being afraid of falling … that really helps us.”

The Terps carried that lead through the beam rotation, which was a good performance but one that evened them out. Three gymnasts earned a 9.825 or higher, highlighted by freshman Layla Hammer. In her first ever rotation, she delivered in a large way for the Terps.

The action was paused before the teams went to the floor, as one of the Nebraska gymnasts injured herself in the midst of her floor routine. She was able to get up and walk herself off to a standing ovation. 

On floor, Maryland delivered again as five gymnasts scored a 9.800 or better. Once again, it was senior Alexa Rothenbuescher stealing the show. After she delivered a 9.925 last week, she came out and finished with a 9.950 tonight. Martin once again came through for the Terps, notching a 9.900. 

“I mean, I’m running out of words to describe her,” Nelligan said of Rothenbuescher. “To see a senior perform like the way she is … she is at her peak right now. And its so fun watching her compete. She has a ton of confidence. I can’t wait to see what she does every week.”

The meet was an impressive bounce back victory for Maryland Saturday. The Terps will look to keep their momentum rolling as they travel to take on the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing next Sunday at 2 p.m.