The Terrapins gymnastics team put on an inspiring performance Saturday night in front of a record-setting crowd. In their annual Pink Meet, an event devoted to raising breast cancer awareness, the Terps posted season-best scores on floor (49.125) and bars (48.950), leading them to an overall score of 194.550, also a season high.
Although the Terps' (8-6, 3-3 EAGL) score was good enough to defeat Rutgers and William & Mary, No. 22 West Virginia finished the meet with 194.800 points, edging out the Terps at home inside Comcast Center.
Coach Brett Nelligan said those in attendance, many of whom were breast cancer survivors, played an integral role in his team's performance.
"The atmosphere was incredible," he said. "Having the record setting crowd and with everyone wearing pink, I am sure that was the reason why floor was so good, and why we were able to pull out a season high."
Sophomore Katy Dodds and junior Ally Krikorian placed first and second, respectively, on floor, the final event of the night. Dodd's victory marked her fifth individual first-place finish of the season.
With four meets remaining in the regular season, Nelligan believes his team has what it takes to make a postseason run, especially considering their performance Saturday.
"I think this meet, even though we didn't win, was a turning point in our season," he said. "Earlier in the season we didn't finish meets, but this meet we finished strong in our fourth rotation. That is what we need for our last four meets and the postseason."
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