No. 25 Maryland gymnastics posts season-high point total in victory over Rutgers

In their first week of being ranked, No. 25 Maryland gymnastics put up a season-high point total in their meet Saturday afternoon against Rutgers. It’s the third-straight week in which they have done so, only this time, it resulted in a win. 

The Terps got the better of the Scarlet Knights, winning in Piscataway, 196.875-196.325. They moved to 55-12 all-time versus their conference foes, making up for last year’s loss. 

The Terps began the day on bars, scoring 49.300 overall, and they were very close to smashing their season-high of 49.350. Five out of six gymnasts recorded a score above 9.800. The only one to not was senior Emma Silberman, who recorded a 9.325, a result that does not match up with the tremendous year she has been having. However, sophomore Sierra Kondo had a stroke of brilliance, notching a 9.900, tying her season high. 

The Terps moved to vault in the second set, once again featuring four gymnasts to score a 9.800 or better. Graduate student Alexsis Rubio and senior Reese McClure both put up a 9.825, the second consecutive meet in which both have done so. McClure has now scored a 9.825 in four out of the previous five meets. 

In the third rotation, Maryland executed its best floor routine of the season thus far, notching a 49.375. All six gymnasts scored 9.800 or better, with three scoring 9.900 or higher. Four gymnasts put up career highs. Silberman bounced back from her rough start, posting a 9.900, tying her career high. Sophomore Rhea LeBlanc and freshman Taylor Rech posted a 9.875 and a 9.825, respectively. Junior Alexa Rothenbuescher stole the show however, as she recorded a phenomenal 9.925. 

In the final rotation — beam — the Terps finished strong. Sophomore Josephine Kogler set a new career-high with a 9.925, while freshman Maddie Komoroski recorded her own career-high at 9.900. 

On the other side, Rutgers had a great showing. Its score of 196.325 is the second time the Scarlet Knights have scored above 196 this season, the first time in program history in which they have scored more than 196 multiple times in a season. They broke their program floor record with an incredible 49.425, while senior Hannah Joyner broke her All-Around record that she set only last week with a 39.575. 

Although it wasn’t her best match, Silberman still had a quality showing with a 38.750, good enough for best amongst the Terps and third amongst all competing gymnasts. 

The Terps will look to keep the momentum rolling this weekend as they take on Southern Connecticut State in the XFINITY Center Friday at 7 p.m.