The Penn State women's gymnastics team posted its highest score of the season at the Big Ten championships on Saturday. The Nittany Lions' 196.625 placed them second at the meet hosted by Minnesota.

"We were really excited about how we did," sophomore Michelle Ilg said. "I think we were all really focused. We were pumped and our energy was there and we were able pull it together."

The runner-up performance for Penn State marks its highest finish since taking second in 2001.

Prior to this year's Big Ten championships, Penn State was ranked fifth among seven teams in the conference.

"I think [the gymnasts] are pleased with second place," Penn State women's gymnastics coach Steve Shephard said.

The No. 29 Lions surpassed No. 17 Iowa, who placed third with a 196.5, Minnesota, who placed fourth, No. 25 Michigan State's, who finished fifth, Illinois, who ended in sixth place, and Ohio State, who finished last.

No. 19 Michigan ran away with its 13th championship with a 197.8.

Penn State recorded scores of 49.225 on the vault, 48.975 on the bars, 49.075 on the beam and 49.350 on the floor.

Throughout the season, Shephard emphasized that his squad is capable of recording a high 196 or low 197 point total, but Penn State averaged just a 195.603 points in nine meets.

On Saturday, the potential that the coaching staff and gymnasts sensed was finally fulfilled. Previously, the Lions broke the 196 barrier just twice and their season high stood at 196.375.

But when it mattered most, the Lions turned in their most impressive performance of the year.

"The performance was a culmination of a lot of hard work throughout the year and their positive attitudes," Shephard said.

Heading into the Big Ten championships, Penn State was at risk of being bumped out of the NCAA Regional Championships, which will take place at Rec Hall. Pittsburgh and New Hampshire could have easily eliminated the Lions, preventing them from competing on their own ground.

The Lions knew what was at stake after Shephard held a team meeting early in the week when the squad discussed what needed to be done.

"We knew we couldn't be distracted by [the pressure] and we needed to focus on the things we had control over," Shephard said. "The only thing we had control over was out attitudes and they did a great job of staying within themselves and not getting distracted."

And so the gutsy performance secured a spot for the Lions in Regional competition, which will be held on April 4.

The NCAA Regional Championships selection will be announced following all of the conference championships.

"This was a huge pivotal moment for us," Shephard said. "We really performed up to our ability."