PISCATAWAY, N.J. – In front a record crowd to witness a regular season gymnastics meet at the Rutgers Athletics Center (3,189), the Scarlet Knights put together a 49.025 on floor exercise and posted a season-high 48.775 on uneven bars as the host of a Big Five meet on Saturday. No. 7 Michigan claimed first with a 197.225, while Iowa scored a 195.275, No. 22 Minnesota a 195.150, No. 25 Penn State a 194.375 and Rutgers a 193.725.
 
The results mean that RU will compete in the 3 p.m. ET session of the 2018 Big Ten Championships next Saturday at Illinois. The meet, just as the Big Five was, will air live on Big Ten Network.
 
"There were many highlights tonight," head coach Louis Levine said. "It was definitely our best team bar rotation of the year. We talked about taking in the energy from the crowd and enjoy what you're doing. The crowd was excellent, one of the bigger ones we've had. They were into it from the beginning and all the way through. We now have one week to prepare for Big Ten Championships and will look to end on a high note."
 
After starting with a bye, Rutgers ran out to a 49.025 on floor exercise to reach the 49-mark for the third time this season. Juniors Riahanah Ali and Jenna Rizkalla both brought in a 9.825 to lead the way. Following closely, freshmen Belle Huang and Toni Williams each earned a 9.800 and senior Libby Groden rounded out the numbers at 9.775.
 
Williams recorded her second 9.800 of the night on vault to lead the third rotation. It tied her best score as a rookie. Rizkalla contributed a 9.775 and Huang registered a 9.700 to help the team to a 48.375.
 
The Scarlet Knights picked up the momentum on uneven bars with five consecutive swings of 9.700 or better. Sophomore Shannon Farrell notched a 9.850, with junior Michelle Amoresano and Groden at 9.750. Starting the run, sophomore Rachel Ley had her best yet at 9.700 and junior Eriel Santagado finished it was a career-high 9.725.
 
Groden and McLachlan both wrapped up the night with a 9.875 balance beam mark to set personal highs on the event. The lineup totaled a 47.550.
 
For Groden, it was her 46^th career meet and final competition in front of the home crowd. She went all-around for the first time since Feb. 3 and collected a season-high 38.950. Huang also went to all four events and ended at 38.025.
 
Rutgers will next travel to Illinois for its fourth appearance at the Big Ten Championships. The team will start on balance beam.


 
TOTAL SCORE: 193.275
VAULT: 48.375
UNEVEN BARS: 48.775
BALANCE BEAM: 47.550
FLOOR EXERCISE: 49.025
 
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