PHILADELPHIA – The Ursinus College gymnastics team took its talents to one of the country's most historic venues – and to the big screen – in a quad meet at the University of Pennsylvania on Sunday, posting its second-highest score of the season.

In a competition that was broadcast live on NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Bears complemented their typical floor exercise excellence with their best vault performance of the year against a strong field that also included Temple and Bridgeport in addition to the host Quakers inside the world-famous Palestra. Ursinus tallied 47.200 on the vault, a season high by nearly four tenths of a point, on the way to a final total of 186.900.

Senior Heather Brubaker was emblematic of the Bears' resurgence on the vault, registering a career-best 9.700 to finish tied for seventh among 24 gymnasts. Brubaker also recorded a season high on the balance beam (9.450) and had her second-best uneven bars effort (9.250) en route to an all-around total of 37.450.

Three other Bears also attained their highest score of the season on the vault. Seniors Alexandra Puryear and Kelsey Stewart each collected a 9.450, and freshman Alex Lacey earned a 9.300 in her vault debut.

Sophomore Eleanor LaFountain continued to cement her position as one of the NCGA's best on the floor, grabbing a 9.750 from the judges. LaFountain has scored at least a 9.750 in each of her last four meets.

Puryear also produced her best score of the year on the floor, tallying a 9.650. Sophomore Skylar Haas received a 9.375, and classmate Breanna Couts scored a season-high 9.300.

Brubaker was Ursinus' top scorer on the uneven bars, and was closely followed by junior Lindsay Rush with a 9.225. Stewart and fellow senior Amanda Palladino each got 9.150.

Junior Matisen O'Brien matched her highest score on the balance beam with a 9.500, with Brubaker (9.540) and Palladino (9.425) right behind. Senior Kelly McLaughlin received a 9.375.

The Bears return to Philadelphia on Saturday, February 17, when they challenge Bridgeport and West Chester in a quad meet at Temple. '