by David. F.P. [My contribution to Gymnastike video coverage] [Modest Image Gallery]

(Note: Coverage was filmed prior to terrible FloSports management decisions that started in 2014. All coverage filmed for FloGymnastics is their property by law. Linkage is not an endorsement of current FloSports management or management decisions. The reporting staff of FloGymnastics remains an excellent group however despite upper management failures.)

COLLEGE PARK, MD- It’s always an emotional day when the seniors are saluted in their final home meet, and in Maryland that trend continued as Michele Brenner, Allie Dama, Brandi George, Candice King, Margaux Meeks, and Talia Tossone received a send off complete with tribute video in the Comcast Center Pavilion Saturday evening. On the competition floor itself #17 Auburn made the trip into ACC territory to take on the Terps, fellow Washington area team GW also arrived, as did the Yale Bulldogs making it quite an eclectic meet.

The result was a win for Auburn with a 196.225 to Maryland’s 195.825, GW’s 192.100, and Yale’s 188.100, though Maryland actually took 2 of 4 events and tied a third, though Auburn pulled away thanks to juggernaut of a Bars rotation cemented by Allyson Sandusky and Petrina Yokay both hitting 9.950s and no Auburn gymnast scoring lower than 9.800. Yokay actually earned a ten from one of the judges for her routine. The Terps had season highs in every event but Vault as well in this close contest among two top 36 teams. GW’s floor score of 48.875 was not that far behind the Auburn and U of M either.

On the Vault, Maryland’s Ally Krikorian scored a 9.9, and Auburn’s Justine Forster scored that mark as well to tie for first. Abigail Adams of Maryland was third with a 9.825. Leslie Delima was the top vaulter for GW flipping to a 9.750, and Tara Feld was Yale’s scoring a 9.7 as the anchor.

On the Bars, Yokay and Sandusky took 1^st, and Adams with third with a 9.900. All 10 of the counted scores on Auburn and Maryland were 9.75 or better. Megan Quinn and Amanda Murphy were the top Bars scorers for GW, and Brigitte Kivisto had a 9.725 to lead Yale on the event.

Over on Beam, Talia Tossone and Brandi George, two Maryland seniors scored 9.875s to win the event, followed closely behind by Kylie Shields of Auburn and a 9.850. Murphy’s 9.675 led the colonials, while Allison Mak led the Bulldogs scoring a 9.8.

Wrapping things up on Floor, Krikorian, Adams, Terps senior an EAGL Specialist of the Week Michele Brenner, GW’s Delima, Auburn’s Toi Garcia, and her teammate Rachel Inniss all had 9.850s to tie for 1^st place. Yale’s Kivisto had a 9.825 to lead her team.

Adams took the All Around title scoring a 39.400, Shields was second with a 39.275, Krissy Voss of Auburn was third scoring a 39.150. Delima was GW’s best all arounder today scoring a 38.675, Kivisto was Yale’s as she put up a 38.900.

Maryland was leading the all time series with Auburn 3-1 entering today’s competition and with the win the Tigers have now closed the gap to 3-2. They also entered the meet 11^th on Beam in the country and 12^th on Bars.

Next week Auburn has SEC Championships, Yale heads to ECAC Championships, and Maryland and GW both trek up to New Hampshire for EAGLs. Maryland entered the meet 3^rd in the EAGL standings but not far behind West Virginia and NC State, in the very close conference standings, today’s score is nearly a point and a half above their RQS.