RECAP: No. 21 Maryland gymnastics finishes last in Big Five Meet

Coming off a string of successful finishes in the previous few weeks, No. 21 Maryland gymnastics faced its toughest test of the season to date Friday night in the Big Five Meet. 

Unfortunately, it was a very poor showing from the Gym Terps (5-7, 2-7 Big Ten), who finished in last place with 194.475 points. No. 3 Michigan won the competition with a 197.100, followed by No. 20 Iowa with a 196.925, No. 23 Illinois with a 196.825 and No. 31 Penn State with a 196.100. The Terps added four conference losses to their 2023 campaign.

The Terps once again started the night very sluggish. Their first rotation was bars, where they placed an underwhelming team score of 48.900. Senior Aleka Tsiknias led the way with a 9.850, followed by sophomore Sierra Kondo with a 9.825 and sophomore Rhea Leblanc with a 9.800. Senior Emma Silberman and junior Elizabeth Debarberie placed scores of 9.650 and 9.000, respectively, uncharacteristic scores for two of the team’s veteran leaders. 

In the second rotation, the Terps took on beam. The result was the worst overall score in any event for the squad so far this season, as they put up a 47.300. Sophomore Josephine Kogler and freshman Maddie Komoroski had successful routines, as they continue to impress. Kogler recorded a 9.900, which tied for third place in the event, and Komoroski came away with a 9.825. However, the other four competing gymnasts had showings that are not reflective of their previous scores on beam this season. Silberman recorded the next highest score with a 9.625. Senior Reese McClure finished with a 9.075, while junior Olivia Weir and sophomore Victoria Gatzendorfer both recorded scores below nine. Weir recorded an 8.875, while Gatzendorfer recorded an 8.650. 

Despite the very slow start, the Terps did start putting things together as they went into the third rotation, which was floor, their best event of the night. Junior Alexa Rothenbuescher continued her great season showing on floor, recording a 9.900, tied for third best in the event. Komoroski put up a 9.825 in only her third time competing on floor. Silberman and McClure both bounced back in big ways, putting up 9.850s. 

To finish the meet, the Terps competed on vault. Four competing gymnasts scored a 9.800 or better. Kogler and Silberman led the way, both notching a 9.850. Weir also had a bounceback from beam, as she put up a 9.825. 

Despite the strong finish, it wasn’t enough for the Terps to overcome their woes from earlier in the meet, as they came in last by 1.5 points. Coach Brett Nelligan’s point of emphasis from last meet, starting strong and carrying that throughout the meet, is something that the team will need to work on moving forward. 

The Gym Terps are back in action this Thursday, looking for a bounceback, as they take on Temple, Towson and West Chester in the Temple Quad Meet in Philadelphia.