Only a week after its disappointing loss to Rhode Island, the Penn gymnastics team was able to rally back this Friday at Hutchinson gym against Wilson College, winning 186.350 to 170.375.
It has been an up and down season for the Quakers (3-3), having lost their last two meets to Yale and Rhode Island. Needing a serious boost of confidence, Penn went into this meet with the goal of getting its season back on track.
The Quakers started off strong on their first apparatus -- the vault -- gaining a score of 46.750 with Lauren Markowitz placing first in the event with a score of 9.575. Penn gymnasts took the top three scores in the vault.
Wilson was only able to gain a score of 39.950 after their first rotation on the uneven bars as numerous falls led to costly deductions. This gave Penn a which it would not give up for the rest of the night.
On the uneven bars, Penn performed powerfully, putting up its highest score of the night -- 47.7 -- with sophomore Stephanie Ortiz placing first with a score of 9.675.
After the bars, Penn started to experience some difficulty on the balance beam, where it collected its greatest number of falls. However, the Quakers were able to work through their problems, eventually posting the highest scores on beam for the night with sophomore Kimberly Chin winning the event with a score of 9.650.
The Quakers finished the night strong on floor with a score of 46.300, with Penn gymnasts placing in the top four for the event.
For this meet, Penn coach Tom Kovic wanted to give his usual starters a much needed rest after their tough competition at Rhode Island. But instead, he chose to spread out assignments and thereby give freshman and injured gymnasts the opportunity to get into the flow.
He pointed out the performances of freshmen Kerri Lutfey -- who placed second in beam and floor and third on vault -- Mia Turner and Katie Riggleman-Thomas, who finished first and third on floor, respectively.
"We had our disappointments last week, ... but we decided on the bus ride home it was behind us. We were going to clean the slate and move forward, and they proved that tonight," said Kovic.
With their new-found confidence, the Quakers are looking forward to their home meet this Wednesday against Temple, and are optimistic about their chances.
"If we have the same energy we had to today, and put the same effort I think we're all going to do very well and maybe we'll have a win," Ortiz said.
