PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers women’s gymnastics team (8-5, 0-3 EAGL) set a new team record on beam, scoring a 48.625 in the event as the Scarlet Knights placed second in their first home meet of the season. The Tigers of Towson took first with a team score of 193.050, followed by the Scarlet Knights’ score of 192.825. James Madison took third with a 186.825 while Ursinus rounded out the scoring with a 183.175.

On vault, freshman Erin Lynch (Mullica Hill, NJ) scored a 9.550 to place second. Sophomore Jessica Orlando (Erie, PA) scored a 9.400 to take 10th place, followed closely by freshman Jamye Shelton (Griffin, GA) in 11th with a 9.350. Towson’s Jenn Baierliein won the event with a score of 9.650.

The Scarlet Knights saw its momentum grow on bars as senior Kristen Marino (Hillsborough, NJ) placed third with a 9.850, with fellow senior Kamla Modi (Bayside, NY) in fourth with a 9.800. Sophomore Sveta Shterenberg (Sharon, MA) placed fifth, posting a 9.725, while junior Laura Iepson (Sweetwater, NJ) took sixth with a 9.700. Baierliein and teammate Julia Kovaliova tied for first in the event, scoring a 9.900.

The Scarlet Knights set a new team record on beam this afternoon, scoring a 48.625. The previous record of 48.550 was set March 1, 2000, against Eastern Michigan. RU was led by junior Caitlin Wight (Washington, PA), who scored a 9.800 to finish third. Junior Lisa Abrams’s (Mt. Ephraim, NJ) 9.775 put her fourth while Iepson scored a 9.750 for sixth place. Towson’s Kristen Presutti scored a 9.900 to win the event.

Rutgers finished the afternoon with strong performances on floor. Sophomore Nicci Bradder (Dover, NH) and Wight tied for second place, each earning a 9.825. Lynch was close behind in fourth after scoring a 9.800, while Shterenberg finished the day with a 9.750 for sixth place. Presutti claimed her second event of the afternoon with a 9.875.

Shterenberg served as the lone all-around competitor for RU, scoring a 37.975 to take fourth place. Baierliein placed first with a 38.625, followed by Presutti’s second-place score of 38.475 and teammate Jen Beekmen in third with 38.450.

The Scarlet Knights return to competition on Saturday, Feb. 1, when they travel to Southern Connecticut State for a 1 p.m. meet. RU will next compete at home on Saturday, Feb. 8, hosting Pittsburgh and Cornell at 1 p.m.

SCORING RESULTS

1. Towson University 193.050
2. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY 192.825
3. James Madison University 186.825
4. Ursinus College 183.175

Vault

1. Jenn Baierliein (TU) 9.650
2. Erin Lynch (RU) 9.550
3. Kristen Grimmel (UC) 9.500
3. Amanda Beltz (JMU) 9.500
3. Jamie McDonald (TU) 9.500

Bars

1. Jenn Baierliein (TU) 9.900
1. Julia Kovaliova (TU) 9.900
3. Kristen Marino (RU) 9.850

Beam

1. Kristen Presutti (TU) 9.900
2. Jen Clarke (TU) 9.875
3. Caitlin Wight (RU) 9.800

Floor

1. Kristen Presutti (TU) 9.875
2. Nicci Bradder (RU) 9.825
2. Caitlin Wight (RU) 9.825

All-Around

1. Jenn Baierliein (TU) 38.625
2. Kristen Presutti (TU) 38.475
3. Jen Beekmen (TU) 38.450