BRIEF | Penn gymnastics finishes third at Rutgers

Seeking to improve upon its 189.575 performance from a week ago, Penn gymnastics came away with mixed results, but overall reached its goal.

Coming off of a fourth-place finish at the Lindsey Ferris Invitational, the Quakers found themselves engaged in a four-way battle royal with Rutgers, Bridgeport and Ursinus, coming away from New Jersey with a score of 190.525, good for third place.

The Red and Blue encountered some stiff competition from the Scarlet Knights and the Purple Knights, both of which registered impressive scores of 192.925 and 194.1, respectively.

This meet featured a continuation of early-season dominance by senior Dana Bonincontri and a return to form by fellow captain Kirsten Strausbaugh. Awarded ECAC Gymnast of the Week after posting a 38.55 the previous week, Bonincontri took it up a notch by posting an excellent all-around performance on her way to a first-place finish with a 39.125.

Strausbaugh was not far behind, posting a third-place 38.525, including posting an outstanding 9.8 (second) on her floor routine and a 9.625 (eighth) on the beam.

The latter score is particularly significant as Strausbaugh continues to master a new skill on the beam that paid immediate dividends after an uncharacteristic 8.925 at the previous meet.

The Quakers were also bolstered by career highs from some of the young talent on the team, including dual 9.625 finishes from freshmen Carissa Lim and Emily Paterson, with the former also contributing on the floor with a 9.65 (ninth).

Sophomore Makeda Constable also added to the Quakers’ strong finish with a 9.575 (ninth) on her forte, the uneven bars, and a solid 9.525 on beam.

The Quakers look to add to their mantle next Sunday against Ivy foe Yale in New Haven, Connecticut.

SEE ALSO

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