Maryland gymnastics fifth-year Emma Silberman earned a 9.7625 on vault at the national championships Thursday evening. Silberman finished 23rd on the event after session one in the fourth and final rotation in Fort Worth, Texas.
Stanford’s Anna Roberts took the event title after performing a Yurchenko one and a half to earn a 9.9500. Despite not coming out on top, Silberman was satisfied with her final performance.
“I couldn’t ask for a better way to finish out my collegiate career,” Silberman said. “The other teams and the other coaches were so welcoming and encouraging and it was just a great environment through the entire weekend.”
Silberman qualified for nationals after tallying a career-high 9.95 at the Gainesville Regional April 5. She was named vault regional champion and became the first Maryland gymnast to compete at nationals since 2001.
[Emma Silberman ends Maryland gymnastics career with spot in NCAA Championships]
“It was just a great moment for her to be able to come to the national championships…more than just today, it’s what she’s done over her five years here,” coach Brett Nelligan said. “I can’t thank her enough so today was just such a great culmination of an incredible career.”
Silberman sprinted down the vault runway and performed a round off onto the springboard in the championships. She twisted forward onto the table and configured into a well-formed back pike. The fifth year executed a difficult full-on, tuck-off.
Silberman took a step backward at the end and saluted the judges with a bright smile and eagerly ran off to hug Nelligan. Her vault Thursday night ended an illustrious career for the Terps.
“This season for me has just been icing on the cake,” Silberman said. “When I landed that vault, I was so excited to salute and just take it all in. It was just a great moment. I’ll never forget that feeling.”
