Rutgers gymnastics will be advancing in the NCAA Regional competition in Lexington after earning a close upset victory over No.31 Central Michigan. The Scarlet Knights defeated the Chippewas by a total score of 196.200 to 195.700 to advance to the second round of the NCAA regionals for the first time since the regional format changed in 2017. It will also guarantee their first top 8 finish at an NCAA regional since 2014.
Several Knights posted career highs during the win. Sophomore Reagan Schenkel
tied her career high on bars with a score of 9.850, and Sophomore Keeley Smith posted a career high of 9.85 on the beam to help secure the win. Rutgers, as a team, posted a score of 48.825 on the bars and 49.000 on the beam.
Freshman Vivienne Larson and senior Rachael Riley led the way on the vault, scoring 9.850 each while the team posted a score of 49.100.
Senoir Gabrielle Dildy had one of the best performances of the night, posting a score of 9.900 on the floor while the team scored a total of 49.275.
Some of the top performers of the day were freshmen and sophomores, meaning that there is a bright future ahead for this program as they continue to develop.
Rutgers gymnastics will be back in action tonight, as they prepare to face off against No.1 Oklahoma, No.16 Kentucky, and Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Lexington regionals.
