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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Competing in front of 1,477 fans at the RAC, Rutgers gymnastics secured a 195.200 to finish first in a tri-meet Saturday during Senior Night. The Scarlet Knights scored a program-best 49.375 team total on floor exercise in the victory.

RU also tied a season-high 48.950 on balance beam during competition. Bridgeport (194.750) finished second in the meet while West Chester (190.825) rounded out the scoring.

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"Tonight was a strong step," said head coach Louis Levine. "It was a strong beginning and a really strong finish with a little stumble in the middle. They didn't give up, they continued to push hard and were aggressive all the way through the end. It was a 195 score we really needed."

Following the meet, the program recognized its four senior gymnasts - Anastasia Halbig (Schwenksville, Pa.), Emma Hoffman (Union, N.J.), Luisa Leal (Cali Colombia) and Sara Skammer (Dallas, Pa.) - in a ceremony that included a video tribute to the group.

"They are a great group of girls," Levine said. "The four of them work hard and love gymnastics. We all struggled a bit with the emotions tonight, but they all had their bright spots. Overall, to end a meet breaking a program record on floor, you really can't ask for much more from them."

All six competitors went over the 9.800 mark during the record-setting floor exercise performance, with sophomore Claire Jones (Gaffney, S.C.) tying a personal career-best with a 9.900 individual total. Hoffman, Leal and freshman Elizabeth Groden (Abbottstown, Pa.) each landed 9.875 routines, sophomore Charly Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) scored a 9.850 and freshman Jenna Crisalli (Freehold, N.J.) added a 9.825. The team score broke the program previous record of 49.325 set March 8, 2014.

Rutgers led off competition on vault, as the Scarlet Knights secured a 48.925 team total. Leal produced another impressive score with a 9.850 to lead all competitors. For Leal, the routine was the fifth-straight meet in which she went over the 9.800 threshold. Freshman Sahara Gibson (Oakland, N.J.) contributed a 9.800, while senior April Baker (Andover, Mass.) (9.775), Groden (9.775) and Skammer (9.725) all landed impressive scores during the event.

The Scarlet Knights scored a 47.950 team total during the next rotation on uneven bars, as junior Jenna Williams (Bordentown, N.J.) led all meet participants with a 9.875, also a season-high score. Baker (9.825) and Santagado (9.800) joined Williams over the 9.800 mark.

Three gymnasts went over 9.800 for RU on balance beam, led by Jones' 9.850. Her score tied a personal best for the season and was the highest in the meet. Groden and junior Claudia Salinas (Allendale, N.J.) each had 9.800 marks to help RU. Halbig executed a 9.775 routine in the event while Leal added a 9.725.

For the fifth straight meet, Groden competed all-around, as she posted the second-highest all-around total in the meet with a 38.750.

It was the first gymnastics competition at the RAC since the EAGL Championships in 2006. In addition, the 195.200 team score is the 10th-highest mark in school history.

RU will return to actionMarch 14, when the Scarlet Knights travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to compete in the B1G Five Meet with Minnesota, Michigan, Penn State and Iowa.

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