After falling off the balance beam in Maryland gymnastics’ quad meet last weekend, Tiara Wright knew she had a lot to improve on before the team’s next competition.
The junior spent much of the week leading up to Saturday’s meet against Illinois working on keeping her composure in the event.
“Last weekend, I didn’t have the best beam performance,” Wright said, “so I really went in the gym and focused on calming myself down while I was on the beam.”
Wright’s hard work paid off, as she posted a 9.825 on the beam Saturday, one of many Maryland gymnasts who made major improvements in their second meet of the season. Despite falling short of beating Illinois, the Terps increased their score by more than a full point in the 195.075-194.950 loss.
Maryland improved on bars and beam from their season-opening quad meet last weekend, making up for the modest steps back on vault and floor.
The Terps particularly impressed on the bars, where they were ranked No. 14 last season, as three gymnasts posted a 9.8 or above, led by junior Alecia Farina’s 9.875, which tied for first in the event. It led to a 49.1, the team’s first 49 of the season.
“[Hitting 49] was really important,” sophomore Audrey Barber said. “It was like we were getting back to our bars from last year.”
Maryland outscored Illinois in three of the four events but was unable to overcome a strong Illini performance in the floor exercise.
Despite the defeat, coach Brett Nelligan was excited by the team’s level of improvement. After having to count a fall on beam in the first meet, the Terps hit all of their routines against Illinois.
“To come into the second meet of the year and go 24-for-24 on the road against a really good Big Ten team,” Nelligan said, “it showed a lot of potential.”
In Maryland’s first meet of the season, the Terps struggled on the beam, with no one posting above a 9.725. Wright and sophomore Emilie LeBlanc fell during their routines, and the Terps had to settle for a 47.675. However, the team took those struggles in stride.
Wright’s performance on Saturday was complemented by strong showings from junior Kirsten Peterman (9.825) and Barber (9.775), who both bested their beam scores from last week. LeBlanc also improved her score by posting a 9.750.
“They not only survived, they thrived on beam,” Nelligan said.
As the Terps prepare for a tough home matchup against No. 9 Michigan next weekend, they will look to build off their showing against Illinois.
“We took a huge step forward this week,” Nelligan said. “Now … we identify where we gave away tenths and try to cut those tenths in half. That’s how you attack a team like Michigan.”
