Rutgers University
Temple/Ursinus/Penn
Balance Beam Leads Gymnastics to Quad Meet Win
Feb 20 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In front of the sixth consecutive sellout crowd at Livingston Gym, Rutgers gymnastics put up a season-high 195.075 on Saturday to take first in a quad meet over Penn (192.400), Temple (191.625) and Ursinus (188.200). The Scarlet Knights notched a 49.000 on balance beam to highlight the evening, a score that tied for the fourth-best mark in school history in the event. In addition, an RU gymnast took first in all four events plus the all-around.
"We are very excited about this performance," head coach Louis Levine said. "Everyone went out there and enjoyed what they were doing. It was great to see that from the beginning to the end. Tonight was a season-best score with plenty of personal bests."
RU put up its best beam performance of the year with five scores of at least 9.700. Sophomore Makenzey Shank (Phoenix, Ariz.) paced the field with a career-high 9.900 sequence as the anchor, which was also the best number by a Scarlet Knight on balance beam this season. Senior Claudia Salinas (Allendale, N.J.) contributed a season-high 9.850, with sophomore Libby Groden (Abbottstown, Pa.) at 9.800. Rounding out the high marks were freshman Eriel Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) at 9.750 and senior Jenna Williams (Bordentown, N.J.) at 9.700.
In the next rotation on floor exercise, the Scarlet Knights used the momentum to cap the night with a season-high 48.875. Fifth-year senior Emma Hoffman (Union, N.J.) placed first in the meet with a season-high 9.850 routine, with freshman Riahanah Ali (Ann Arbor, Mich.) reaching a career-high 9.800 for the third time. Both junior Charly Santagado (Celebration, Fla.) and senior Katie Stebick (Waterford, Pa.) each registered a 9.750. Groden had a 9.725 as the leadoff.
The Scarlet Knights started the evening on vault and put up a 48.750. Sophomore Michelle Amoresano (Whippany, N.J.) led the way with a career-high 9.825, the best score among the 24 competitors in the meet. Following closely behind, senior Nicolette Wilson (Toms River, N.J.) continued her consistency with a 9.800 to reach at least that score in five of the last six outings. Junior Claire Jones (Gaffney, S.C.) tied her season-high with a 9.750 and Ali contributed a 9.725.
Over on uneven bars, Groden notched a meet-high 9.750 to tie her personal best in 2016. Ali and Hoffman both swung to a 9.700 to help RU to a 48.450 in the rotation.
Groden led all gymnasts in the meet with a 38.925 all-around score.
Rutgers will look to continue its upward trajectory next weekend with two road meets. The Scarlet Knights will first take on North Carolina on Friday before heading to George Washington Sunday for a tri-meet that will also involve Maryland and Towson.
Top Balance Beam Scores in Program History
49.325 - Feb. 28, 2004
49.100 - March 1, 2014
49.100 - March 22, 2014
49.000 - Feb. 20, 2016
49.000 - March 8, 2014
49.000 - Feb. 22, 2014
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's gymnastics, follow the program on Twitter (@RUGymnastics), Facebook (/RUGymnastics) and Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics).
Players Mentioned
