COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Rutgers gymnastics scored its season high with a 195.550 team score on a snowy Friday evening at Maryland, who claimed the Big Ten dual meet with a 196.450. The Scarlet Knights produced eight induvial career high or tying scores throughout the gym on Friday, as Elia Aird won vault and Avery Balser triumphed on bars.
 

ALL-AROUND THE GYM

• Avery Balser scored her third consecutive 9.875 on bars to start the season, winning the event for the second time in three meets.
• Elia Aird stuck a 9.875 career-high tying vault to place first in the event, her first event victory of 2024.
• Emily Leese earned a 9.900 on floor, tying for second and marking her ninth 9.9+ score of her career (sixth on floor).
• Stephanie Zannella tied for third with a 9.825 on beam.

KNIGHT NOTES

• Valentina Lorente-Garcia produced the best vault of her career with a 9.825, following up a career-high tying 9.700 on bars.
• Gabriella Dildy set career highs in consecutive weeks on vault, scoring a new best of 9.825 in the dual at Maryland. She also added a 9.800 in her college debut on beam.
• Freshman Olivia DiNovi set yet another career-high 9.800 on bars. Tracking the start of her college career, the rookie has posted a 9.700, 9.725, and 9.800 in succession in her first three meets.
• Rachael Riley produced a career-high vault with a 9.775 and tied her career-best 9.750 on beam.
• Jacqueline Manifold's career-high on bars now stands at 9.700 after Friday's performance.
• Elliot Goldsmith made her collegiate debut with a 9.650 on bars.
• Rutgers scored a season high as a team on bars with a 48.750 and vault with a 49.025,
• Emily Leese notched her season high on vault with a 9.825 on the Yurchenko 1.5.

TOP PERFORMERS

Vault: Elia Aird (9.875) – 1st of 12
Bars: Avery Balser (9.875) – 1st of 12
Beam: Stephanie Zannella (9.825) – T-3rd of 12
Floor: Emily Leese (9.900) – T-2nd of 12
 

UP NEXT

The Scarlet Knights host Penn State on Thurs., Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. inside Jersey Mike's Arena, airing live on Big Ten Network.
 

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