NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rutgers gymnastics scored a season-high 194.900 on Monday to win the MLK Jr. Invitational hosted by Fisk, improving to 8-1 on the year after defeating Fisk (190.025), Wilberforce (177.125), and William & Mary (191.400).
 
The historic meet featured four Black head coaches of collegiate women's gymnastics programs for the first time. Rutgers also made some history in the meet with their best start to a season at 8-1 since 2014's 10-1 opening. That season was the last time the team qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships as a squad.
 
"I'm so honored to have been able to participate in the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Meet at Fisk," said head coach Umme Salim-Beasley. "For the first time ever, four Black female head coaches led their teams in NCAA competition. The significance of this event shows how the sport has grown to reflect a diverse population of gymnasts and coaches."
 
The Scarlet Knights produced their best team score of the season on floor on Monday with a 49.125. Delaney Adrian and Gabrielle Dildy split the event crown with their 9.875's, while Elliot Goldsmith (9.850) and Donna Uhlenberg (9.825) finished third and fourth on floor of the 23 athletes competing.
 
"Winning this first-ever event was exciting for our team," Salim-Beasley said. "Starting off our season 8-1 shows the level of talent this team possess. Their work ethic shows every day in practice and it translates into their performances in competition. We are extremely proud of what they have been able to do this early in the season and look forward to growing and improving more as the season progresses."
 
The Scarlet Knights won all four events individually with Dildy and Adrian's floor win joined by Dildy on vault (9.875), Adrian and Keeley Smith on bars (9.775), and Rachael Riley on beam (9.800).
 
Adrian completed her first collegiate all-around with a 38.950 after a 9.525 on vault, 9.775 on bars, 9.775 on beam, and 9.875 on floor.
 
Top Performers
Vault: Gabrielle Dildy (9.875) – 1st of 23
Bars: Delaney Adrian & Keeley Smith (9.775) – T-1st of 23
Beam: Rachael Riley (9.800) – 1st of 24
Floor: Delaney Adrian & Gabrielle Dildy (9.875) – T-1st of 23
 
Knight Notes

• Delaney Adrian wins her first collegiate events with a career-high 9.775 on bars and career-high 9.875 on floor.
• Donna Uhlenberg set a young career high with a 9.825 on floor in her third collegiate meet, improving in each meet so far.
• Keeley Smith tied her career-high on bars with a 9.775 and grabbed her first event win.

Up Next
The Scarlet Knights return home to host Washington in the Big Ten opener on Sat., Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena.
 
 
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