Piscataway, N.J. - Donning special, pink leotards as part of their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Meet, the Rutgers gymnastics team scored a 196-plus for the second time in the 2023 campaign. Despite the good mark, however, the Scarlet Knights still fell in a Big Ten, dual meet against the No. 25 Maryland Terrapins, 196.875-196.325. The second 196-plus mark marked the first time a Rutgers gymnastics team has scored a 196, or higher, twice in a single season.
Hannah Joyner once again led the Scarlet Knights. She recorded no scores below a 9.825 on any event, and earned scores above 9.9 on the uneven bars and floor, on her way to a 39.575 in the all-around. Additionally, Joyner's all-around performance against the Terrapins broke her own school record that she set earlier this season during a meet against Illinois.
(Bobby O'Hara - JSN)
Rutgers was also aided by a school record, team performance on the floor. The Scarlet Knights finished the afternoon with a score of 49.425 on the event. Joyner led Rutgers on the floor earning a 9.95 and was closely followed by Emily Leese and Emily Wood, who both finished with identical 9.925s. All three of Joyner's, Leese's, and Wood's scores either tied, or set, career highs. In addition, Stephanie Zanella had a career high on floor, as well, with a 9.85.
On the vault, Joyner, again, lead the way for the Scarlet Knights receiving a 9.825. While Joyner was the only Rutgers gymnast to score above a 9.8 on the vault, Leese, Gabrielle Dildy, and Maya Jones posted scores above 9.7.
Avery Balser led Rutgers on the uneven bars with a 9.95, tying the second highest mark in Scarlet Knight history. Joyner finished behind Balser with a 9.925, which was a career high on bars for her. Ella Aird and Jordyn Zieden-Weber also garnered scores above 9.8 on the bars for the Scarlet Knights.
Joyner led a contingent of four Scarlet Knights to score above a 9.8 on balance beam against Maryland. Joyner finished the afternoon with a 9.875 on the apparatus, followed by Leese with a 9.825, and Zanella and Jacqueline Manifold, who each scored 9.8s.
The Scarlet Knights will hit the road to face the No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa next weekend.
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