Groden Wins All-Around in Gymnastics Opener

Saturday, January 13

Piscataway, N.J.

1 PM

Rutgers University

Illinois/Yale/Southern Connecticut State

Photo by: Justin Tafoya

Jan 13 | Women's Gymnastics

Results Photo Gallery

Scarlet Knights score a 191.525 to place third

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior Libby Groden took first all-around with a 38.875 to lead Rutgers gymnastics in its season opener Saturday at the Livingston Gym. The Scarlet Knights finished third place as a team with a 191.525, with Illinois at 195.100, Yale at 191.550 and Southern Connecticut State at 187.650.

"It was great to get out there and compete in front of the home crowd after months of practice," head coach Louis Levine said. "We had some excellent routines, but there are still things we need to work on. This meet was the first stepping stone in a long season."

Groden, who has qualified three times for NCAA Regionals as an all-arounder, competed on all four events for the 34^th time. In addition, freshman Belle Huang earned a spot in all four lineups in her collegiate debut with a 38.625. She was joined by sophomores Emma Karas and Shannon Farrell and freshman Sophia Atienza in making their debut for the Scarlet Knights.

On uneven bars, Groden led the way with a 9.800 to reach at least that score for the fifth time in her career. Sophomore Kaitlyn Hall followed with a career-high 9.775, while Farrell and Huang both posted a 9.725 in a 47.725 team score.

RU scored best on balance beam with a 48.325, including four marks of at least 9.725. Senior Makenzey Shank posted a 9.875 to tie for the highest score of the day in any event. Huang, who won the national championship on balance beam at the 2017 Junior Olympic Nationals, impressed in her first collegiate routine at 9.850. Groden added a 9.800, with junior Michelle Amoresano collecting a career-best 9.725.

The floor exercise lineup produced a 48.000 in the last rotation. Junior Jenna Rizkalla led the squad at 9.725 after finishing with the team's best Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) in the event last season. The Scarlet Knights started with a 47.475 on vault, as Huang notched a 9.650.

Rutgers will hit the road for the first time this season next weekend with a Saturday Big Ten meet at Nebraska. Action is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET.

TOTAL SCORE: 191.525
VAULT: 47.475
UNEVEN BARS: 47.725
BALANCE BEAM: 48.325
FLOOR EXERCISE: 48.000

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