Temple women’s gymnastics (13-12, 6-1 at home) finished in second place, as they fall to Penn by the slimmest of margins in the Alumni Night quad meet Friday.
The Owls had a total team score of 193.975, to the Quakers 194.000. West Chester finished third and finally Bowling Green, with a 192.000 & 188.700 respectively. The meet marks the first time that the Owls were outscored at McGonigle Hall.
The night started on the vault for the Owls, their best event this season based on their average totals for the 2019-20 campaign. Tonight however, they posted their lowest team score of any event, with a 48.100. They didn’t look bad on the vault by any stretch, but they have had better outings this season. Sophomore Ariana Castrence, who earned her third ECAC Gymnast of the Week honors, led the way with a 9.75. The Owls were third in team totals after this event.
Next, the ladies moved to the uneven bars, where the team seemed to find its stride with a 48.750. Two Owls had high scores of 9.825, the aforementioned Castrence, and the freshman, Madison Brooks. The score was a career high for Brooks in her young collegiate career. The Owls moved ahead into second place after this event, where they would stay the rest of the night.
In the balance beam event, only one Owl posted a score higher than a 9.7. That was Taylor Newland, the sophomore from Buckeye Valley. This was the first of two events that she competed in Friday night, as she would also shine in the floor routine. The Owls as a team posted a solid 48.250.
In their final event of the night, the Owls were still in second place behind Penn, so they went all out on their floor routines. Although they fell just short, their efforts were still to be applauded. Every Owl scored a 9.7 or higher, led by senior Jaylene Everett, who posted a 9.825. Ariana Castrence, who competed in the all-around (38.875 total) had a 9.775. The team score of 48.875 was their highest of the night.
The Owls have a quick turnaround as they are back in action this Sunday, March 8th as they will host Ursinus at 4pm on Senior Night.
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