LINCOLN, Neb. – In its first road meet of the season, Rutgers gymnastics increased it score from last week with a 192.975 Saturday in front of a crowd of 4,443 at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers posted a 196.300 in the Big Ten competition.
 
"We took a step forward this week," head coach Louis Levine said. "We need to continue to show progress from week to week. I thought we had some excellent routines and the ladies continue to step up on every event."
 
Senior Makenzey Shank recorded a career-high 9.825 to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 48.700 on floor exercise, the team's best event of the night. Junior Jenna Rizkalla followed with a 9.775, while freshman Toni Williams earned the same mark in her collegiate debut. In addition, senior Libby Groden, who compiled a 38.825 to continue her all-around consistency, registered a 9.750 in her 41^st career meet.
 
The Scarlet Knights then went on to a 48.325 on balance beam in the fourth rotation. Freshman Belle Huang went over 9.800 for the second time in as many weeks with a team-high 9.825 to tie for first in the meet. Sophomore Kaitlyn Hall contributed her personal best in the event with a 9.700.
 
Starting on uneven bars, RU notched a 48.350 with three scores over 9.700. Both Groden and sophomore Shannon Farrell reached 9.775, while Hall earned a 9.750. The team would then add a 47.600 on vault, as freshman Sophia Atienza collected a 9.700.
 
The Scarlet Knights will return to the road next weekend with Saturday quad meet at Michigan State that will also involve Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh. Action is set to start at 7 p.m.
 
TOTAL SCORE: 192.975
VAULT: 47.600
UNEVEN BARS: 48.350
BALANCE BEAM: 48.325
FLOOR EXERCISE: 48.700
 
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