PHILADELPHIA – The Ursinus College gymnastics team put up another big number on Saturday, breaking the 190-pont mark for the second straight meet in Temple's Ken Anderson Memorial Invitational in Philadelphia. Ursinus compiled a 190.850 while sharing McGonigle Hall with West Chester, Pittsburgh, and the host Owls.
The Bears, continuing to be the top-scoring team in Division III, posted season highs on the vault (47.825) and beam (47.950), but their greatest success came on the floor. Freshman Eleanor LaFountain put together a sparkling routine to score a 9.700, while junior Heather Brubaker earned a 9.625. Junior Kelsey Stewart's 9.600 was also a season benchmark, and junior Alexandra Puryear supplied a 9.575. Freshmen Sabrina Tusavitz (9.475) and Breanna Courts (9.375) were also impressive in helping Ursinus tally a 47.975.
The "Beam Queens" were at it again, marking another prolific score behind a 9.700 from senior Jillian Casarella, who has scored no lower than 9.600 all season. Juniors Amanda Palladino and Kaelin Ruoss each netted a 9.600, freshman Autumn Snape was given a 9.575, and Puryear collected a 9.475.
Freshman Courtney Pearson was the top performer on the vault, where five of the six Ursinus competitors got their best score of the season. Pearson was awarded a 9.650 and was followed closely by Brubaker and Stewart at 9.600. Puryear registered a 9.550, and sophomore Lindsay Rush scored a 9.425. LaFountain rounded out the Bears' six with a 9.275.
Ruoss (9.575) and Casarella (9.550) led the way on the bars. Senior Vanessa Scalora posted a 9.350, Puryear got a 9.325, and senior Lauren Chavis was given a 9.300.
Ursinus hosts its second meet of the season on Sunday, February 12, when Cortland State comes to Helfferich Hall for a dual.