MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Rutgers gymnastics finished victorious in Session I of the Big Ten Championships on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Scarlet Knights soared to a program-record score at the Championships with a 195.675 for its highest ever finish overall, claiming wins over Maryland (195.650), Penn State (195.525), Nebraska (195.350), and Ohio State (195.325).
Sophomore
Hannah Joyner placed third in the all-around and third on beam overall, having finished first overall in both in Session I. Senior
Belle Huang placed third on beam and fourth in the all-around overall, while finishing second in all-around, first on beam and first on floor in RU's victory in the first session.
Joyner and Huang were named to the Big Ten All-Championship Team, following First Team All-Big Ten accolades for the pair this year.
Freshman
Emily Leese recorded a career high of 9.850 to lead the Scarlet Knights in their first rotation. Freshman
Calah Newman, Huang and Joyner each added marks of 9.800, while freshman
Avery Balser recorded a score of 9.700.
Following a bye, the Scarlet Knights moved to their second rotation on bars. Junior
Abigail Karolewski and Joyner posted team-high marks of 9.825 in the event, marking a season high for Karolewski. Huang contributed a 9.775 followed by senior
Emily Drauss with a 9.750. Freshman
Calah Newman added a 9.7 to round out the team mark of 48.875, the second-highest event score on the year for RU.
Joyner and Huang anchored the Scarlet Knights on beam with back-to-back 9.9s, both leading the session. Joyner registered another incredible performance on beam this year, eclipsing 9.900 for the fifth time this season and 12th time overall on the event in her young career.
Huang capped the lineup with a beautiful routine of her own with a 9.9 of her own. Sophomore
Jenna Ferguson notched a 9.775, while Drauss posted a 9.750 in a strong team outing on beam for the Scarlet Knights.
Huang closed the meet with a statement on floor, posting a team-high 9.875 to lead the session in the event. Joyner registered a 9.850 with her performance to finish third in the session. Freshman
Emily Wood recorded a 9.775, while Newman added a 9.725 to conclude the record-setting day at the conference championships.
Joyner posted a 39.375 to place third overall in the all-around at the Big Ten Championships. Huang followed in fourth overall with a career-high mark of 39.350.
- Rutgers produced its highest score ever at the Big Ten Championships with a 195.675. The team score marks the eighth highest score in program history and the fifth highest road score ever.
- RU recorded its highest ever finish at the Big Ten Championships, finishing fifth behind No. 7 Minnesota, No. 3 Michigan, No. 16 Illinois and No. 18 Iowa.
- The team score of 195.675 shatters the program's then-highest score at the conference championship of 194.775 posted in 2016.
- The Scarlet Knights have recorded three of the top 10 scores in program history this season, including the highest ever road score in February on the road also at Minnesota.
- Hannah Joyner is the Rutgers career leader with 15 total marks of 9.9 or higher across all events, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to eclipse a 9.9 on each event.
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