The Terrapin gymnastics team made a statement yesterday in its first quad meet on the Comcast Center main floor this season.
The No. 32 Terps swept Bridgeport, Temple and William & Mary, earning their highest score of the season in the process.
Securing their second straight score of 195 or better, they bested Bridgeport, 195.450-192.825. Temple placed third at 190.150, while William & Mary rounded out the field at 187.750.
"We sent a message today," coach Brett Nelligan said. "We did the little things that put us in a position to have a special day."
The Terps (12-4, 4-0 EAGL) set the tone early, earning four scores of 9.8 or better on vault to open the meet. They approached the uneven bars with a 49.175-48.350 advantage over second-place Bridgeport — a lead they never surrendered.
"Starting strong on vault really helped our momentum," said sophomore Ally Krikorian, who posted an event-high score of 9.925. "It got us all excited, which I think motivated us to do even better in the next events."
During their second rotation, the Terps posted the meet's three highest scores on uneven bars. Led by senior Abigail Adams' 9.875, the team finished the event with a season-high score of 48.950.
Nelligan called an impromptu team meeting before they headed to balance beam, an event they've struggled with this season.
"I just told them that if they stayed focused, they could really do something special here," Nelligan said.
Senior Jenn Iovino listened. She posted a team-high score of 9.825 on beam, helping secure a 146.775-144.550 advantage over the Purple Knights with one rotation remaining.
"I can feel myself coming into my own," said Iovino, who joined the team last season after a two-year break from gymnastics. "I'm feeling more confident; I think we all are."
With the victory all but secured, the Terps did what they've done all season: excel on floor exercise.
Led by Adams' meet-ending score of 9.900, the team wrapped-up a near-perfect meet with four scores of 9.7 or better.
The Terps left Comcast Center with one fall for only the second time this season. Adams' 9.300 on beam — a respectable score by most standards — was the team's lowest score of the day.
"Today was huge for us," Iovino said. "We're trying to build a nationally respected program here, and meets like this show everyone the kind of talent we all have."
letourneau@umdbk.com
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