KENT, OHIO – The Ursinus College gymnastics team made a long trek to Ohio and came back with two new season highs in tow after a sensational performance at a Pink quad meet hosted by Kent State.
The Bears busted out their best efforts of the year on beam (47.625) and floor (47.200) on the way to a 188.125, their second-highest team tally of the season. Ursinus finished about a half-point ahead of NCGA East Region rival Brockport in a competition that also featured a pair of Ohio-based Division I programs in the host Flashes and Bowling Green.
Ursinus had three top-10 individual places while also surpassing the 47-point mark on vault.
Alex Panetta was the highest finisher of the night for the Bears, tying for fourth overall with a career-best 9.750 on the uneven bars. Panetta's mark was the highest of the year by an Ursinus gymnast on the bars. Hailey DiCicco landed in 10th with a 9.625, her second-best score of the year, and Eleanor LaFountain wound up just shy of a season high with a 9.425.
The balance beam became a bounty for the Bears, who had three gymnasts score at least 9.600. Skylar Haas finished seventh overall with a 9.750, and Kaylin Knapsack took ninth with a 9.700. Autumn Snape finished just outside the top-10 with a season-best 9.600, while Taylor Cusick shattered her previous personal best with a 9.475.
Knapsack once again topped Ursinus on the floor, this time with a 9.550 that narrowly edged Cusick's 9.525 for the team lead. DiCicco matched her season high with a 9.425, and Emma Gable scored a season best of her own with the same score. Haas came up with a 9.275.
Cusick was terrific on the vault, leading a balanced Ursinus effort with a 9.575. Shruthi Anand netted an even 9.500, her third meet in a row hitting at least that number. DiCicco and Gable equaled each other once again at 9.400, and Panetta earned a 9.350.
The Bears finish out the regular season next Sunday at Temple.