No. 21 Maryland gymnastics falls to No. 17 Minnesota in first loss of season

To begin the year, No. 21 Maryland gymnastics earned a spot in the Top 25. In the weeks prior, the Terps have done nothing but improve that ranking. Beating No. 17 Minnesota (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) on the road would have shot them up the leaderboard.

But the Golden Gophers came to play. Although the Terps scored the most points in any of their matches yet, Minnesota (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) defeated Maryland (2-1, 1-1 Big Ten) 196.725-195.625, dominating across all four rotations.

Minnesota had the three best scores in the all around and four out of the top five. The only Terp to break a potential clean sweep was Natalie Martin, who continued her impressive start to her first season. Emma Silberman, who is typically within the top three in all-around scoring, finished 19th. She would only compete in two rotations, with neither score being the excellence she has become accustomed to. 

The Terps started their night on bars, where they experienced a bit of a slow start, finishing with a 48.625. Juniors Sierra Kondo (9.850) and Victoria Gatzendorfer (9.800) had impressive displays, but were the only two gymnasts to score a 9.700 or above. 

Maryland performed far better as a collective unit in the next rotation, vault. The lowest score amongst all six gymnasts was 9.725, with junior Josephine Kogler (9.825) and Martin (9.825) leading the way. But Minnesota had an incredible start to its night with vault, finishing with a collective 49.275. 

In the third rotation, the Terps took on floor, where they would once again improve as a unit. Three gymnasts scored above a 9.800, highlighted by senior Alexa Rothenbuescher’s 9.875, which was the highest score amongst both teams in the event. 

Maryland’s final rotation came on the beam. It was a story very similar to its floor rotation — a solid team performance but one that was carried by three gymnasts: Martin, Gatzendorfer, and sophomore Maddie Komoroski, who consistently delivered on the beam. Kogler (9.775) had a solid outing, but certainly not the excellence she’s displayed in the event.

At the end of the day, the Terps came in and competed well, but were just outplayed by a better team who rarely ever loses at home. The season remains young, with an opportunity to get back to a winning record in Big Ten play against Ohio State at home next weekend.