A day before the Maryland gymnastics team embarked on its drive to Rutgers, freshman Kirsten Peterman peered at the Terps’ lineup at practice and was surprised to see herself slated for all four events.

Though it marked her first time competing in the all-around as a Terp, Peterman downplayed her promotion, citing an experience with the Canadian national team that prepared her for it.

When she was 16, one of her teammates tore her ACL on beam at the World Championships in China. Peterman expected to perform vault only, but the void forced her into duties on all four events. She finished 32nd in the world out of 212 gymnasts.

“I wasn’t nervous because I didn’t have time to be nervous,” Peterman said.

Coach Brett Nelligan acknowledged that prior experience contributed to her poise against the Scarlet Knights.

“You could tell that she loved being back in the all-around,” Nelligan said. “She comes from the elite world of gymnastics — she was on the world team with Canada — she’s used to training all the events, competing the all-around. I thought she actually looked more comfortable being in the all-around.”

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Nelligan said Peterman earned the all-around position with her improved exhibition performances on bars. Because NCAA rules allow teams to perform as many as two exhibition routines per event that don’t count toward the total score, Peterman gained live practice.

Peterman, one of several Terps who had never competed at Rutgers before Saturday, earned a 38.750 total, the meet’s second-best all-around score. She became the first Maryland gymnast to compete in all four events since Kathy Tang last season.

Tang got to know Peterman during her recruiting visits and camps at Maryland, and she recognized her intense work ethic and desire.

“She really busted her butt,” Tang said. “I know it’s just camp, but she still put in 110 percent on all four events.”

Tang commended Peterman for preparing to compete all-around with only a day’s notice, but the former Terp wasn’t surprised.

“This is gymnastics — things happen,” Tang said. “I’m really proud of her for being able to do that as a gymnast. That’s why we practice all four events. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Peterman’s expanded role wasn’t official until she saw her name in the lineup Friday, but Nelligan had anticipated she’d make her all-around debut at some point in her rookie season.

“From the recruiting process, we pegged her as an all-arounder,” Nelligan said. “Each week, she’s going to keep getting better. I’m excited to see how far she can go.”

Peterman thinks she could continue to be effective competing all-around in the future. Nelligan agreed.

“She worked hard, she really focused and she made the small corrections we asked her to make as coaches,” Nelligan said. “She’s going to win some meets this year.”