Rutgers Ties for Second in Home Quad Meet
Feb 23 | Women's Gymnastics
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Hosting West Virginia, Rhode Island, Ursinus, and Bridgeport in a five-team meet Saturday at the Livingston Recreation Center, the Scarlet Knights came away with a second-place tie with the Rams. Rutgers' score of 189.900 in the event is its highest of the season.
West Virginia took first in the competition with an overall score of 193.925, while Rutgers and Rhode Island followed with 189.900. Bridgeport placed fourth with 187.625 and Ursinus rounded out the scoring with 185.250.
The evening also marked the team's annual Alumni Meet, in which graduates of the RU gymnastics program came back to cheer on the current Scarlet Knights. The second-place finish pushed Rutgers' season record to 10-5-1.
After a bye in the first event, Rutgers opened the day's competition on vault, led by sophomore Laura Sevarino (Cheshire, Conn.) with a score of 9.800, good for first-place overall and a new season-high. Junior Latara Northcutt (Snellville, Ga.) scored a 9.675 for fifth place, followed by freshman Nicole Rose (Maple Shade, N.J.) with her 9.575 in eighth.
On the uneven parallel bars, senior Stephanie Pannick (Archbald, Pa.) set the pace for the Scarlet Knights with her mark of 9.725 - tying for sixth in the event. Northcutt followed with a 9.675, ninth place, and sophomore Prishani Seebadri (Wenonah, N.J.) notched a 9.575.
Sevarino continued her strong performance on the balance beam, leading RU's effort with a score of 9.650 as she took seventh. Senior Tiffany Schramm (Orange County, Calif.) and Northcutt each notched a 9.600 as the teammates tied for eighth.
In the final rotation, Rutgers took to the floor exercises, where Rose's 9.625 - a tie for her season-best - led the Scarlet Knights. Sophomore Alyssa Lewandowski (Linden, N.J.) and Sevarino each scored a 9.600. The mark was a season-best for Lewandowski.
Rutgers was represented in the all-around by Sevarino, who took fourth place in the strong field of eight competitors with a total score of 38.450.
The Mountaineers won the meet in convincing fashion, taking first in every event as well as taking the top two finishes in the all-around competition. Rutgers has yet to topple WVU, as the Mountaineers now hold a 15-0 edge in the all-time series. RU improved to a perfect 25-0 against Ursinus and 8-2 against Bridgeport. The Scarlet Knights were previously 7-17 all-time against Rhode Island before earning the tie.
The Scarlet Knights next take the floor on Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m. in a road meet against Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y. Rutgers' final home meet of the season is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, as the squad hosts Towson at 1 p.m. at the Livingston Recreation Center.
