Gymnastics Dominates West Chester Behind Freshmen Saturday

Meet Results | “Unite for HER”

WEST CHESTER, PA. – The Quakers dominated in West Chester, Pa. on Saturday afternoon, besting the Rams by scoring a season-high 191.625 as a team. Penn’s win came on a day where they competed in PINK leotards in support of the “Unite for HER” foundation. The foundation bridges the gap for breast cancer patients by educating them on and offering supplemental therapies to support positive health.

The meet, which began at 1 p.m. at West Chester, was highlighted by the Penn freshmen – Carissa Lim, Elyse Shenberger and Amber Hu combined for five career-high performances.

Leading off the group of record-breaking rookies was Shenberger. Competing in all four events for the first time in her career, Shenberger placed first in the all-around with a 38.675. She also set two career-highs on bars (second place with a 9.750) and floor (third place with a 9.725). She added a sixth-place finish on vault with a 9.525 and tied Makeda Constable for second on beam with a 9.675.

Hu was not to be outdone as she placed first with after first-ever collegiate beam routine, scoring a 9.700. She also placed seventh on bars with a 9.500. Lim matched Hu as well, placing first with a career-high 9.700 on vault. Additionally, a fourth freshman, Emily Paterson, finished third on vault with a 9.575.

Upperclassmen Kirsten Strausbaugh and Megan Milavec contributed as well. Strausbaugh, a co-captain, scored a season-high 9.850 on floor, placing first, and finished second in the all-around with a 38.025. Milavec was outstanding on bars, placing first and tying her career-high with a 9.775 – she finished third in the all-around with a 37.875. Another upperclassman, junior Nicki Valenti, competed in her first meet of the season, and scored a 9.575 on floor.

Penn will be back in action on Feb. 17 against Bridgeport for Senior Day. The meet will be at The Palestra for the Quakers only home competition of the season and will start at 1 p.m.

Full Results:

Team Standings:
1. Penn – 191.625 (season-high)
2. West Chester – 187.750

Vault: 48.025
1. Carissa Lim – 9.700 (career-high)
2. Wynne Levy – 9.675 (season-high)
3. Emily Paterson – 9.575
t-4. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.550
6. Elyse Shenberger – 9.525
7. Megan Milavec – 9.500 (season-high)

Bars: 48.050 (ties season-high)
1. Megan Milavec – 9.775 (ties career-high)
2. Elyse Shenberger – 9.750 (career-high)
t-5. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.575
7. Amber Hu – 9.500
8. Makeda Constable – 9.450
12. Amber Woo – 8.500

Beam: 47.200
1. Amber Hu – 9.700 (career-high)
t-2. Elyse Shenberger – 9.675
t-2. Makeda Constable – 9.675 (ties career-high)
7. Megan Milavec – 9.100
8. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.050
12. Amanda Schlaefer – 8.300

Floor: 48.350 (season-high)
1. Kirsten Strausbaugh – 9.850 (season-high)
3. Elyse Shenberger – 9.725 (career-high)
t-4. Kaitlyn Reszkowski – 9.700 (career-high)
6. Nicki Valenti – 9.575 (season-high)
10. Megan Milavec – 9.500
12. Carissa Lim – 9.000