Maryland gymnastics takes top spot in morning session at Big Ten Championships

Maryland Gymnastics (21-8, 8-7 Big Ten) found its stride in the second half of the season, finishing 10-0. The run followed a tough first half of the season highlighted by a 3-7 record.

The Terps most recently captured second place at the Kidney Care Women’s Gymnastics Championship in Nashville, and traveled to East Lansing, Michigan for the Big Ten Championships looking to continue the energy. 

They did that. 

Competing against No. 24 Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Rutgers, the Terps took the top spot in the morning session with a final score of 196.775. 

“I’m just so happy that this team, which has worked so hard and been so selfless,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “I hope they remember it for their whole lives.”

The team began their strong day on beam. Three competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher, with sophomore beam staple Maddie Komoroski leading the way with a 9.875. Freshman Natalie Martin finished with a 9.850, while junior Victoria Gatzendorfer notched a 9.800. The start positioned Maryland in second place early. 

The Terps had their first rest period in the second rotation. With six teams competing in four events, two teams had to sit out in each rotation. Some teams, such as Illinois and Penn State, were disadvantaged by having to start the competition on rest, which Nelligan said can kill a team’s momentum. 

The Terps came out of the break and competed on floor, which has been the squad’s best collective unit this season. Nothing changed amidst the high stakes: the Terps had five out of six competing gymnasts record a score of 9.825 or higher. Senior Alexa Rothenbuescher, finished her final Big Ten meet with a 9.900. Komoroski was right behind her with a 9.875, while junior Rhea LeBlanc and Martin both recorded a 9.850. 

The team showed no signs of slowing down on vault, the fourth rotation. All six competing gymnasts came out and delivered a 9.800 or higher. Sophomore Taylor Rech and Martin led the Terps in scoring, both finishing with a 9.850. Junior Josephine Kogler and graduate student Emma Silberman both finished with a 9.825. The Terps had their second rest period in the fifth rotation.

The Terps competed on bars to close the sixth and final rotation. The squad came out and delivered a collective score of 49.300, one of their best scores on the event all season and tied with floor for their best score of the competition. Rothenbuescher and LeBlanc both delivered a 9.900 to help the Terps capture the competition title. 

“I feel like they knew they needed to put up something special at the end to make sure we got the job done,” Nelligan said. They were not going to leave any regrets on the table. It was that mentality which allowed us to finish that strong.”

Although Big Ten play is over, the Terps’ season isn’t finished quite yet. They have one more meet, the NCAA Regionals, which will take place on April 3. Time and opponents are to be announced.  

“It doesn’t matter to us who we’re against or what round we’re in,” Nelligan said. “They need to bring this mentality with them to NCAAs.”