Penn gymnastics, ranked no. 42 after the third week of competition, took on crosstown rivals Temple (no. 52) at McGonigle Hall on Friday.
McGonigle Hall was filled with rivaling cheers, with fans mostly alternating between “T-U!” and “Go Penn Fight!” In the end, Penn took home their third straight win of the season, a point ahead of last week’s score.
Texas Women’s (no. 27) and George Washington (no. 59) also made the trip to Philadelphia.
Beam
Freshman Ruth Whaley had an absolutely rock-solid start for the Quakers.
When the hollow sound of the landing on the beam echoes throughout the gym, you can tell the tumbling is centered and grounded. Sophomore Manama Fofana built upon the momentum as she delivered textbook skills, showing her pride in her performance with small smirks after hitting a skill and big hugs from the team at the end.
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Fofana described how the coaches cultivate team culture, emphasizing the team's unity and reliance on one another.
Both Fofana and senior Alisha Werlen had stuck landings in a great feat of control. Werlen had a strong sense of confidence throughout her time on the apparatus, which paid off in her score of 9.850, a career high. Sophomore Mimi Fletcher quite literally jumped for joy after the stellar routine. Normally one to only flash a grin, the elation was written on her face after she stuck her landing. In all, Penn barely took first place with a 48.700.
RELATED:
Penn gymnastics earn victory at Lindsey Ferris Invitational
Penn gymnastics sets new season opener record at Cornell
Penn gymnastics add Johanny Sotillo-Alston to coaching staff
Floor
Senior Alyssa Rosen captivated the audience, judges, and teammates with high energy and beaming smiles. Fofana, with her hip-hop-inspired dancing, impressed as much with her coolness factor as she did with her score, a 9.850, tying her career high. Per usual, senior Marissa Lassiter had the crowd ready to join her out on the floor,, seeing as she made her routine look like a party.
Freshman Ava Hooten rounded out the lineup with the best score of the rotation, a 9.875, giving the Red and Blue a total score of 49.025. They were the only team to score higher than 49.0 in the second rotation.
Vault
Freshman Ananya Patanaku, last week’s GEC Co-Newcomer of the Week, delivered an incredibly well-polished routine.
Sophomore Sienna Zuccaro nearly stuck her landing, with gorgeous body position and lines in the air. Impressively, Werlen still had enough gas left in the tank on her third rotation to pack an incredible punch in her execution. The highest score of the rotation was shared by Fofana and Patanaku, a 9.800. The ever-powerful Barrow concluded the vault rotation for the team, adding to a group total of 48.825.
Bars
Senior Carly Oniki, a bars lineup staple, showed beautiful handstands and excellent releases, while sophomore Skylar Goodstadt stuck her landing and extended beautifully in all moves. Sophomore Luci Toczydzlowski garnered a score of 9.800 by seemingly partnering with gravity to float through her routine. Junior Sophia Paris punched in the last score needed for a team total of 48.525, not even breaking a sweat as she performed with confidence.
For the first time this season, the Quakers pushed past a total of 194 to earn a 195.075 and take home their third straight win of the season.
They beat the second-place team, George Washington, by over seven tenths of a point, as well as third-place Temple and fourth-place Texas Women’s by over a point. While the team is excited about their streak of wins, Fofana emphasized that they are continuing to work hard and looking to keep improving as they move through the season.
The Quakers will make this season's home debut next Sunday, Feb 1, at the Palestra against Bridgeport.
