By Drew Owens
Sophomore Josephine Kogler closed out on beam for Maryland gymnastics, executing a nearly-perfect front walkover to end her routine with a 9.900.
It was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing day for No. 21 Maryland (5-7, 2-7 Big Ten) who fell to last place in the Big Five Meet with a 194.475 score, its lowest score of the season.
The Terps took center stage at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska along with Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Penn State, all ranked opponents. Coming into the meet ranked seventh in the Big Ten, Maryland started off its first rotation strong on uneven bars. Sophomore Aleka Tsiknias carried out an excellent transition to lower bar leading eventually to a double layout earning a 9.850.
Although Tsiknias placed in the top three, senior Emma Silberman and junior Elizabeth Debarberie placed lower in the event, scoring a 9.650 and a 9.000, respectively.
After the first rotation, Maryland was tied with Michigan for last place, with a score of 48.900 — a less than ideal place for a Terps team ranked No. 22 on bars.
[Maryland gymnastics’ floor exercise showed marked improvement against Minnesota]
Maryland’s struggles continued on beam, earning a 47.300, the lowest the Terps have scored on beam all year. Silberman led off executing a straddle ending with a roundout twist to score a 9.625.
After the second rotation Maryland moved to third place with 96.200.
Following Maryland’s break in the meet, they continued with floor routines, where Rhea Leblanc and Taylor Rech led-off and both scored a 9.775.
Alexa Rothenbuescher led the Terps with her floor routine, earning a 9.900, her highest score of the season. She along with Silberman and Reese McClure were able to elevate the floor unit, earning a score of 49.200.
Last time against Minnesota, the Terps struggled on vault with a 49.000 score.
In their final rotation, Kogler and Silberman led Maryland with a score of 9.850 on vault. Right behind them was Olivia Weir, who scored a 9.825, her highest score of the season. But the Terps’ solid score was not enough to help them jump up the standings in the meet.
[No. 24 Maryland gymnastics struggles on vault, loses to Minnesota 196.800-196.650]
Maryland continued its losing streak, now dropping to 5-7 heading into their next road meet with all of their losses being from the Big Ten. The Terps are now eighth in the conference.
Maryland will continue on the road next week as the team heads to Philadelphia for the Temple Quad Meet against Temple, Towson and West Chester.
