Recap: No. 21 Maryland gymnastics places second at GW Meet with 195.700 score

No. 21 Maryland gymnastics (13-8) was looking for a strong start to its two-meet weekend, hoping to continue its recent success after its two first place finishes last week.

The Terps kicked the weekend off with the GW Meet in Washington, D.C. Friday night, facing off against George Washington, Towson and William & Mary. The Terps came in second with a 195.700 score, coming behind George Washington (195.950) but besting Towson (195.425) and William & Mary (192.800)

The Terps had a very strong outing overall, scoring a collective 49.000 or more on three of their four events. They started on floor, where they recorded their seventh consecutive score of 49.000 or better with a 49.375, their best rotation score of the day. Seniors Reese McClure and Emma Silberman along with freshman Maddie Komoroski led the way, all scoring a 9.900. That score tied both Silberman and McClure’s career-highs, the second consecutive meet in which the two have tied their best. 

In the second rotation, the Terps moved to vault, where they posted a 49.000 flat. Graduate student Alexsis Rubio and junior Olivia Weir led for the Terps, both scoring a 9.850. McClure (9.725) had a solid showing, but her score wasn’t synonymous with the success she has had so far this season. The same is true for sophomore Josephine Kogler, who recorded a 9.675. Kogler is typically one of the leaders for the Terps on vault. 

Maryland came very close to recording a phenomenal overall score on bars, with five out of six competing gymnasts scoring a 9.800 or better. Silberman led the way with a 9.875, while sophomores Victoria Gatzendorfer and Sierra Kondo, senior Aleka Tsikinas and sophomore Tasha Brozowski all recorded a 9.800. Unfortunately, sophomore Rhea LeBlanc had some trouble with her routine, as she recorded an 8.925. Still, a very encouraging rotation for the Terps, who are looking to get their bars rotation back to its dominant ways from earlier in the season. 

The Terps finished the night on beam, where they had some phenomenal showings but also some struggles. Four gymnasts recorded a 9.825 or higher, with Komoroski leading the way with a 9.875. McClure (9.850), Silberman (9.825) and junior Elizabeth Debarberie (9.825) followed her. But Gatzendorfer and Kogler both struggled, recording an 8.800 and an 8.875, respectively. The Terps finished with a 48.250 total on the event, and will be looking for a better result come Sunday. 

Silberman once again had an incredible meet, as her score of 39.400 on the all-around was good enough for first amongst all competing gymnasts. 

The Terps will travel home to compete in their second meet in three days in the Maryland Five this coming Sunday. They will once again be facing off against George Washington, Towson and Temple, along with a new opponent in Yale.