State College, Pa., March 16, 2002 --The 19th ranked Penn State women's gymnastics team fell to West Virginia in their final meet of the season by a score of 192.750-196.275. The score, which was Penn State's lowest this season came as the team struggled on floor exercise and balance beam.
Penn State posted scores of 48.825 on vault, 49.100 on beam (their second-highest score this season), 47.425 on beam and 47.400 on floor.
Junior Katie Rowland (Georgetown, Ontario) took first place in the all-around with a score of 39.600, which is her second highest all-around score this season. She scored a 9.950 on both floor and uneven bars. Those scores both tie career- highs for Rowland. She was the top scorer on all events except for balance beam, where she placed third. Junior Katie McAvoy (Winnipeg, Manitoba) posted a 9.925 on balance beam and a 9.875 on vault, but was unable to complete competition because of an ankle injury she suffered during her floor routine.
West Virginia's score of 196.275 tied the 7th best team score in school history, and marked their season-high team score. Their team score on beam of 48.750 is their highest this season. The win marked West Virginia's second victory ever at Penn State, and their fifth victory in the history of the rivalry. West Virginia all-arounder Kristen Macrie posted her 17th career score of 9.900 on floor exercise, which is a record for the school.
After the meet, Penn State honored senior Vera Weiss (New York, N.Y.) as she competed in her final regular-season meet as a Nittany Lion. Weiss scored a 8.55 on the floor exercise. Also after the meet, Rowland was awarded the Ann Carr award for turning in the most inspirational routine of the meet.
Penn State will compete at the Big Ten Championships at Ohio State University next Saturday, March 23rd at 6 p.m. They will return to Rec Hall on April 6th as Penn State hosts the Northeast Regional Championships.
Penn State Final Event Scores
Total- 192.750
Floor- 47.400
Vault- 48.825
Uneven Bars- 49.100
Beam- 47. 425
Penn State Top Individual Scores
All-Around- Katie Rowland- 39.600
Floor- Katie Rowland- 9.950
Uneven Bars- Katie Rowland- 9.950
Beam- Katie McAvoy- 9.850
Vault- Katie Rowland- 9.900
-LIONS-
