Gymnastics Dominates on Bars, Defeats Ursinus on Sunday

COLLEGEVILLE, PA. – The Penn gymnastics team defeated Ursinus on Sunday afternoon, 189.425-185.375, in Collegeville, Pa. for its third dual meet victory of the season. The Quakers dominated on bars, tying the second-highest overall score in school history with a 48.775. They were led by freshman sensation Elyse Shenberger, who tied the seventh-highest score in program history with a career-high 9.850.

The Red and Blue faced the Bears with a depleted lineup, aiming to get healthy for the stretch run leading up to the ECAC Championships in Ithaca, N.Y. on March 23. Emily Paterson led Penn on vault, finishing second with a 9.500, followed by Kirsten Strausbaugh in third with a 9.475.

In addition to Shenberger’s record score on bars, three other Quakers tied for second with outstanding scores. Megan Milavec set a new career high by scoring a 9.800. Her routine was matched by Strausbaugh, who tied her season-high. Lastly, competing in her first meet since injuring her ankle against West Chester was Dana Bonincontri. The Bellevue, Wash. native tied her fellow seniors for second place.

Milavec scored a 9.775 on beam to place first, and was followed by Bonincontri and Strausbaugh – the two seniors finished third (9.600) and fourth (9.525), respectively.

On floor, Strausbaugh pulled out her usual stellar routine, scoring a 9.800, which was good for first place. Kaitlyn Reszkowski and Milavec tied for third place as well, each scoring a 9.525. Strausbaugh also won the all-around with a 38.600 and was followed closely by Milavec in second place with a 37.975.

Penn will be back in action on March 9 when its travels to State College, Pa. for a quad-meet. The Red and Blue will compete against New Hampshire, Temple and host Penn State in a meet scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Full Results:

Overall Standings:
1. Penn – 189.425
2. Ursinus – 185.375

Vault – 46.125
2. Emily Paterson – 9.500
3. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.475
9. Wynne Levy – 9.150
10. Carissa Lim – 9.050
11. Diana Moock – 8.950 (season-high)
12. Megan Milavec – 8.925

Bars – 48.775 (season-high, tied for second-highest score in program history)
1. Elyse Shenberger – 9.850 (career-high, tied for seventh-highest score in program history)
t-2. Megan Milavec – 9.800 (career-high)
t-2. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.800 (ties season-high)
t-2. Dana Bonincontri – 9.800
6. Makeda Constable – 9.525
7. Amber Hu – 9.375