Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Athletics.
No. 24 Maryland gymnastics (5-2, 2-2 B1G) was defeated by Rutgers (5-3, 1-3 B1G) on Saturday evening, with a final score of 196.175-195.600. The Terps carried the lead through three rotations, but ultimately came up short by less than a point. Uncharacteristic mistakes on beam and floor put Maryland at a disadvantage, and it was unable to recover.
The Terps were coming off strong performances on the road against Penn State and Illinois. After scoring a program-high score of 49.575 on floor against the Nittany Lions, Maryland continued to show momentum throughout all events – including bars.
The Terps opened the meet on vault with a 9.825 start from Josephine Kogler. Maryland native Logan Buckmon and Bowling Green transfer Katrina Mendez-Aboknik both followed with 9.850s, tying for the highest score of the rotation.
The Scarlet Knights scored an average score of 9.691 on the uneven bars, with an impressive routine from senior Gabrielle Dildy. Her 9.850 allowed Rutgers to stay just 0.125 points behind Maryland.
After the first rotation, the Terps held a narrow lead over Rutgers, 49.075 to 48.950.
Maryland took to the uneven bars for the second rotation, and got standout performances from junior Gianna Ruffing and sophomore Aine Reade. Their 9.825s led the way for senior Maddie Komoroski, who earned a career-high score of 9.900 with her double layout dismount.
Komoroski’s score tied with Reade’s top score against Illinois on Feb. 1, and remains the highest score for the Terps in the event this season.
Rutgers headed to the vault next, getting team-high scores of 9.825 from Rachael Riley and Dildy.
At the conclusion of the second rotation, Maryland held a slight lead over the Scarlet Knights, 98.175 to 97.900.
For the third rotation, the Terps transitioned to the balance beam and Rutgers took the floor. Megan Bingham’s one-and-a-half stuck landing earned a career-high mark of 9.850, giving Maryland momentum to start the rotation. The Terps’ program record, as well as Komoroski’s career-high score of 9.950, was repeated once again from her stuck landing.
Performances from Rutgers on the floor were executed with grace and expertise. Dildy continued to play a vital role for the Scarlet Knights, earning a 9.925 on her routine, followed by Emily Leese – a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch – who scored a 9.900.
Following mistakes on the beam from junior Chelsey Dennis and freshman Emily DeFrees, Rutgers claimed the lead, 147.125 to 146.650.
Maryland used the floor as its final stage. DeFrees began with a 9.750, followed by a 9.800 from Kogler and a 9.775 from Rayna Engelmayer.
The Scarlet Knights took to the balance beam with high-scoring routines from Delaney Adrian, Riley, and Dildy, who all finished with 9.825s.
“Like you saw today, one or two things go our way, obviously the outcome is different,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “As we get further in the season, they are going to put it all together and it will be very special.”
Maryland will compete next against Michigan State on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.
