Penn State Women's Gymnastics Places Fifth at Super Six Challenge

Bongiovanni leads the Nittany Lions in the all-around

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ATHENS, Ga., Jan. 11, 2003 - The 19th-ranked Penn State women's gymnastics team placed fifth at the fourth-annual Super Six Challenge, hosted by the University of Georgia. The Nittany Lions scored a 194.375 while second-ranked Georgia took top honors, posting a 197.325. Fifth-ranked Nebraska (196.700), eighth-ranked Florida (196.575) and third-ranked Alabama (196.000) rounded out the top four, with 12th-ranked Oklahoma placing sixth with a 193.275.

Senior Nikki Bongiovanni (Meriden, Conn.), who returned to the lineup after sitting out last season due to injury, led the Nittany Lions in the all-around competition, posting a ninth-place 38.900. Fellow senior Katie McAvoy (Winnipeg, Manitoba) took 10th place honors in the all-around, scoring a 38.875, while senior Katie Rowland (Georgetown, Ontario) placed 12th in the all-around with a 38.750.

Penn State opened the meet with the floor exercise. Freshmen Meredith Hoover (Dublin, Ohio) and Jennifer Orlando (Herndon, Va.) gained their first competition as a Lion, scoring a 9.650 and a 9.675, respectively. Bongiovanni followed with a 9.775 before sophomore Kate Stopper (Reinholds, Pa.) posted a career-best 9.825 on the event. McAvoy (9.775) and Rowland (9.875) rounded out competition as the Lion finished the floor exercise with a team score of 48.925.

The Lions moved to the vault for the second rotation, with Bongiovanni posting a 9.625. Hoover and freshman Michelle Ilg (Colonia, N.J.) scored a 9.675 and a 9.650, respectively, before Stopper posted another career-high with a 9.700. McAvoy (9.850) and Rowland (9.950) finished up competition for the Lions, who finished with a 48.800. Rowland's 9.950 mark tied a career-high and the school record for the vault, which she set last season versus Maryland and Rhode Island on March 9.

After a third rotation bye, Penn State's Kelly Streicher (Colorado Springs, Colo.) opened up the fourth round with a 9.750 on the bars. Orlando followed with a 9.225 before senior Dana Cuomo, an All-Big Ten selection from last season, posted a career-high-tying 9.850. Bongiovanni (9.775), Rowland (9.275) and McAvoy (9.425) finished up on bars for the Lions, who posted a team score of 48.075.

Stopper started things out on the right foot on the beam, scoring a career-high 9.70. Orlando (9.625), Bongiovanni (9.725), and Hoover (9.650) posted strong scores for Penn State. Rowland matched Hoover's 9.650 before McAvoy recorded a 9.85 to finish the event for the Lions, who ended the rotation with a 48.575 on the beam. Penn State then had a sixth round bye.

ESPN will televise the Super Six Challenge on a tape-delay basis on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 3:00 p.m. ET with commentary by Chris Marlowe and Kathy Johnson Clarke.

The Nittany Lions open up their 2003 home schedule on Jan. 18 when they host New Hampshire in a 7:00 p.m. match at Rec Hall. Please visit www.GoPSUsports.com for more information on the Penn State women's gymnastics team.

Vault: 48.800

Nikki Bongiovanni: 9.625

Meredith Hoover: 9.675

Michelle Ilg: 9.650

Katie McAvoy: 9.825

Katie Rowland: 9.950

Kate Stopper: 9.700

Bars: 48.075

Nikki Bongiovanni: 9.775

Dana Cuomo: 9.850

Katie McAvoy: 9.425

Jennifer Orlando: 9.225