The Penn State women's gymnastics team had two victories sealed away before the final event at the quad meet on Saturday night in Rec Hall. However the floor exercise would be the difference between a clean sweep and falling just short.
"The floor is one of our best events and we were confident knowing that it was going to make the all around," sophomore Meredith Hoover said. "We had a little bit of nerves at times, but everyone did really well."
Penn State (4-1) pulled away from Yale (0-7) and Rhode Island (2-4) early on but the Nittany Lions trailed West Virginia (6-3-1) .575 heading into the floor exercise. The teams were dueling on the balance beam and floor exercise knowing each bobble and clean landing would have a major impact on the outcome of the head on competition. Composure, adrenaline and consistency throughout the crucial moments pushed the Lions just ahead of West Virginia 195.675 - 195.250.
Penn State's 195.675 was enough for it to easily defeat Yale (189.250) and Rhode Island (189.325).
"We need to compete with poise and confidence and that's what we're doing," Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard said. "We want them to be under pressure and fight through it. Your mind controls your body and when your thoughts are in control your body is going to be in control."
Despite sustaining a rolled ankle during her routine, sophomore Michelle Ilg finished with a 9.75. Junior Kate Stopper's 9.925 contributed to Penn State's season high 49.275 on the floor exercise.
"Kate was on fire [Saturday]," Penn State women's gymnastics assistant coach Bill Lorenz said.
"We can't complain about that."
The Lions were without junior Lisa Clark, who was removed from the lineup due to discipline issues, and senior Kelly Streicher who was nursing a wrist injury. However, Penn State's night still progressed rather smoothly.
Although the Lions got off to a slow start, posting a lower-than-average 48.550 on the vault, Penn State rebounded with a season-high 48.775 on the uneven bars.
Junior Cécile Allen's 9.875 on the bars shed new light on the event which the team has been struggling with this season. Penn State then recorded a 49.075 on the beam before showcasing an adrenaline-filled performance on the floor exercise.
"I thought it was a very gutsy performance," Shephard said. "It was a very hard fought contest. The kids really had to pull it together to get the win."
