Gymnastics Rises to a 194.800

Saturday, February 3

Piscataway, N.J.

7 PM

Rutgers University

Ohio State/West Chester/Wisconsin-Whitewater

Feb 03 | Women's Gymnastics

Results

Scarlet Knights post season-best performances on uneven bars and balance beam

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Continuing its upward trajectory, Rutgers gymnastics scored a 194.800 to take second place in a quad meet Saturday night at the Livingston Gym. The Scarlet Knights have now increased their mark in each of the last three weeks.

Ohio State claimed first with a 195.850, while RU topped both West Chester (191.600) and Wisconsin-Whitewater (191.275). The competition was staged in front of a capacity crowd, making it the 12^th consecutive sellout at the Livingston Gym dating back to 2014. All four teams sported pink in an effort to raise awareness towards breast cancer.

"I thought tonight was a great meet, another step forward," head coach Louis Levine said. "We have been preaching about getting better and better. It was another meet where we didn't have to count a fall. This was an enjoyable meet, the team was on from the moment they walked through the door. We will continue to build."

Picking up momentum from the last two rotations the previous week, Rutgers started with a 48.750 on vault. Junior Jenna Rizkalla led the way with a 9.850 for the best individual score in the event so far this season for the Scarlet Knights. Freshman Toni Williams followed up with the same mark as her debut at 9.775, while freshman Belle Huang (9.750) and sophomore Kaitlyn Hall (career-high 9.700) each contributed.

That would lead to a season-best 48.825 in the next rotation on uneven bars. Sophomore Shannon Farrell paced the lineup once again at 9.750, as senior Makenzey Shank earned a 9.700 and Hall swung to a 9.700.

Shank next registered first place overall on balance beam with a 9.850 anchor routine to swell the team score to 48.825, another season high. Senior Libby Groden also rose to the 9.800 plateau with sophomore Erin McLachlan, who collected a new personal-best in competition. Huang impressed to a 9.775 as well.

Rutgers finished up with a 48.800 on floor exercise with four numbers of at least 9.700. Rizkalla picked up her second 9.850 of the night, with Williams following closely behind at 9.800 for her best yet. Groden and Huang went for a 9.775 and 9.700, respectively.

For Huang, it was her second collegiate all-around performance, which improved to a 38.875 for a second-place standing. Groden netted a 38.850 to maintain her consistency.

The Scarlet Knights will return to the road in each of the next two weeks, starting with a quad meet at Maryland on Feb. 11. Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

TOTAL SCORE: 194.800
VAULT: 48.750
UNEVEN BARS: 48.425
BALANCE BEAM: 48.825
FLOOR EXERCISE: 48.800

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), Instagram (@rutgersgymnastics) and Snapchat (rutgersgym).