No. 25 Maryland gymnastics ties highest-ever season-opening score in win over West Chester

With multiple veterans coming back and a strong freshman class coming in, expectations are as high as ever for No. 25 Maryland Gymnastics. 

They started their 2024 campaign, the 50th season in program history, on the right foot, defeating West Chester 196.150 – 193.775. That score ties the highest season-opening score in program history. 

The Terps began the meet on vault. Emma Silberman, in her first meet as a graduate student, picked up right where she left off last season, scoring a 9.800. However, it was freshman Natalie Martin to lead the way for the Terps. In her first ever attempt, she scored a 9.850. Martin was a four star recruit from Ohio who impressed across multiple events.

In the second rotation, uneven bars, the Terps performed better as a collective unit. Four of the competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher, with junior Rhea LeBlanc leading the squad with a 9.875. Silberman had a little bit of trouble this time around, finishing with a score of 9 flat. Hailey Merchant, a junior transfer from North Carolina State, competed in her first event for the Terps, notching a 9.425. 

The Terps kept it rolling on beam. Junior Josephine Kogler continued to be a force in the rotation, scoring an outstanding 9.925, tied for the best score across any event. Junior Victoria Gatzendorfer also impressed, finishing with a 9.875. Sophomore Maddie Komoroski, a leader on beam last season as a freshman, struggled a little bit, finishing with a 9.075.

The squad saved their best for last. On floor, they notched a collective score of 49.375. Junior Alexa Rothenbuescher tied Kogler’s meet-high score of 9.925. Komoroski came back in a massive way, finishing with a 9.900. In an interview I did with her on Jan. 11, she said one of her goals for the season was to improve her floor score and add a little bit of difficulty. A great start for her.

Although it was a bit off an off meet for Silberman’s standards, the graduate student once again led the meet in all-around scoring. Meanwhile, Martin came in third overall after notching a 9.850 on beam and a 9.875 on floor. The Terps may have found their next young phenom.

The Terps will be back at it next Friday from the Xfinity Center, as they host Big Ten rival Rutgers at 8 p.m.