In its season opener - head coach John Ceralde's first at the helm - the Penn gymnastics team finished last in a three-team meet behind Maryland and Towson.
The Terrapins finished with 191.750, while the Tigers ended up with 189.225. Penn finished over eight points behind, at 181.825.
The Red and Blue did not place higher than third in any single event.
The Terps's freshmen dominated the event on their home turf, turning in 12 of 20 counting scores. The team also boasts two 2006 NCAA Regional qualifiers and won the meet despite not placing in the top three all-around scores.
Towson's second-place finish was highlighted by first- and third-place all-around finishes from senior Christina Ghani with a total score of 38.375. Freshman Jackie Schweitzer contributed with a score of 37.550 points.
The highlight of the new season for the Quakers was freshman Marissa Rosen, who finished second in the all-around with a score of 37.875.
"In college, you know whatever you do is going to affect your team and that is the main focus - to help your team," Rosen said before the meet.
"So if you fall or anything happens," she said, "you have to get up and finish strong because you don't want to let your teammates down."
Rosen also led the Red and Blue with the highest team score on the bars (9.7) and floor (9.65).
Also finishing strong was junior Stephanie Ortiz, who placed seventh in all-around with 35.525 points, and sophomore Stefanie Navarro, who finished fifth on the beam with a 9.425.
Despite the third-place finish, positive results from some of the freshmen and sophomores bodes as a good sign for the rest of the season.
Penn's next action is at home against Yale this weekend.
- Sarah Lem
