PHILADELPHIA - The Temple women's gymnastics team placed second with 186.725 score Saturday in a home tri-meet at McGonigle Hall. Penn posted a 188.300 score to win the event, while Ursinus finished third with a 178.200 showing in an afternoon that showcased Delaware Valley collegiate women's gymnastics.
The Owls won both the vault (46.600) and bars (47.900) and led after three rotations in the six rotation competition. Unfortunately, the Cherry & White struggled on beam (44.800), which opened the door for the Quakers. Penn responded with a 46.275 beam performance and a 48.800 on floor exercise in the fourth and fifth rotation, respectively, to earn the victory.
Individually, sophomore Sarah Leibowitz turned-in Temple's top performance with a 9.775 on bars to win the event. Penn senior Leah Moon also shined, winning vault (9.475) and beam (9.525). Quakers' junior Emily Petkun captured the individual crown on floor with a 9.875.
Ursinus sophomore Jessica Furman won the all-around with a 36.625 total while teammate Kristen Grimmel posted a 35.700 all-around score. Neither Temple nor Penn fielded an all-around competitor.
Other notable Temple performances belonged to senior Erin Davis, junior Deidre Mattocks and freshman Desiree Meredith. Davis finished tied for second on beam (9.500), Mattocks placed tied for second on bars (9.600) and Meredith finished second on vault (9.450).
Temple (6-6) will not have to wait long for the opportunity to enact revenge on its city rival. The Owls, under the direction of 20th-year head coach Ken Anderson, return to action at Penn this Wednesday evening, February 9, at 6:00 p.m.
