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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Behind a strong start with season-bests on vault (48.975) and uneven bars (49.100), Rutgers gymnastics scored a season-high 195.375 Saturday in its home opener in front a sold out crowd at the Livingston Gym. The Scarlet Knights also recorded a season-best 48.875 on floor exercise.

No. 6 Nebraska won the quad meet with a 196.250 mark, while RU (3-4, 0-3) finished ahead of Southern Connecticut (190.450) and Brockport (188.075). The team score of 195.375 ranks as the sixth-highest in Rutgers gymnastics history and best in January.

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"Vault has been a strength for us and it was great to start with it and springboard us towards the rest of the meet," fourth-year head coach Louis Levine said. "That is an advantage of being at home. I also saw improvement on bars and floor, which we were looking for. I'm really proud of how the girls competed today."

All six competitors reached at least 9.700 to start the meet on vault to lead to tying for the fourth-best team score in the event in program history at 48.975. Sophomore April Baker (Andover, Mass.) led the way at 9.850, while senior Luisa Leal (Cali, Colombia) was closely behind at 9.800. Senior Sara Skammer (Dallas, Pa.) and freshman Sahara Gipson (Oakland, N.J.) each contributed a 9.750 to the score, with juniors Jenna Williams (Bordentown, N.J.) and Nicolette Wilson (Toms River, N.J.) both adding a 9.700 to round out the rotation.

The momentum continued on uneven bars as RU posted a 49.100, the third-highest mark in school history and highest in any event so far in 2015. Senior Emma Hoffman (Union, N.J.) anchored the rotation with a career-best (and tied for second-best in program history) 9.900 on her routine to tie for the meet high. Williams (9.850), Baker (9.800) and sophomore Charly Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) (9.825) all joined Hoffman with at least a 9.800, while senior Anastasia Halbig (Schwenksville, Pa.) and Skammer started the lineup with a pair of 9.725 marks.

Halbig proved her consistency on balance beam with a team-best 9.875 in the third rotation to tie her career high. Freshman Libby Groden (Abbottstown, Pa.) followed with a 9.800 in her first collegiate home meet, as junior Claudia Salinas (Allendale, N.J.) added a 9.775 as the anchor to highlight a 48.425 team score on beam.

The Scarlet Knights finished the meet strong with a 48.875 on floor exercise. Baker ended the rotation with a 9.875 to pace the lineup. Sophomore Claire Jones (Gaffney, S.C.) contributed a 9.800 in her season debut, with Hoffman matching that to set a new career high. Santagado started off the rotation with a 9.750.

Baker competed all-around for the third time in as many meets, posting a career-best 38.800. She was one of three competitors in the meet to participate in all four events.

"The energy level was great here today," Levine said of the crowd. "I feel like it is an experience. You have the gymnastics meet, the music, the crowd. The energy inside the gym really pushed us."

Rutgers will continue next weekend at home with a quad meet with Michigan State, Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Brown Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for the Blackout by calling 1-866-445-GORU or by visiting ScarletKnights.com. The last three home meets dating back to last season have been sold out.

Top Team Scores
196.225 - March 8, 2014
195.975 - March 2, 2013
195.825 - March 1, 2014*
195.500 - March 8, 2013*
195.400 - Feb. 26, 2000
195.375 - Jan. 24, 2015
195.275 - Jan. 19, 2014*
195.275 - March 22, 2014*
195.250 - Jan. 17, 2014*
195.125 - March 1, 2000
195.075 - Jan. 11, 2014
* - road meet

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