PHILADELPHIA – In its final tune-up before championships season, Rutgers gymnastics totaled a 184.500 Sunday at Temple. The Scarlet Knights were short-handed on uneven bars and counted four scores on the event due to injury. Lindenwood took first in the quad meet at 196.400, while the hosts Owls ended at 196.050 and Eastern Michigan followed at 195.725.
 
"There were a number of great performances today," head coach Louis Levine said. "Belle had a great day in the all-around and Shannon did an excellent bar routine. It was exciting to get Libby back on beam this week as well. On floor, Jenna Rizkalla and Ray had great routines, and Sophia had a really nice vault. Unfortunately due to injuries, we were only able to put up four bar routines. Looking forward, we are ready to get back into the gym and prepare for next week's Big Five meet and the Big Ten Championships the following weekend."
 
Senior Libby Groden returned to the lineup to lead the balance beam group with a 9.850 to match her career high on the event. It was the fourth time she achieved the mark. Following up, both sophomore Erin McLachlan and freshman Belle Huang impressed to a 9.775. Sophomore Shannon Farrell put up a 9.750 and junior Michelle Amoresano performed a 9.700 routine to total 48.850 as a unit.
 
The Scarlet Knights rallied late on floor exercise for a 48.200. Both Huang and junior Jenna Rizkalla worked to a 9.875 to tie for second in the meet. The number tied Huang's career high, as Rizkalla went for at least the mark for the third time this year. Also contributing, junior Riahanah Ali entered for the first time since the season opener and scored a 9.775.
 
In the fourth rotation, Rutgers earned a 48.550 on vault. Freshman Sophia Atienza registered the best mark at 9.800 for her second time reaching the score. Amoresano and Huang also hit their strides by bringing in a 9.750 each. Freshman Toni Williams notched a 9.700 as well.
 
RU started off on uneven bars and submitted four in the lineup due to injury for a 38.900. Farrell continued her consistency on the event with a 9.825 to elevate to a 9.700 or better in each of the 10 meets in 2018. Senior Makenzey Shank also reached the 9.800 mark for the 10^th time in her career, while sophomore Rachel Ley posted her best this season with a 9.625.
 
Totaling all four events, Huang topped the 39-plateau for the first time with a 39.050 all-around number, which placed second.
 
The Scarlet Knights will next turn their attention to hosting a Big Five meet next Saturday at the RAC. The competition will also include Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State and will start at 5:30 p.m. Click here for tickets.
 
TOTAL SCORE: 184.500
VAULT: 48.550
UNEVEN BARS: 38.900
BALANCE BEAM: 48.850
FLOOR EXERCISE: 48.200
 
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