AMES, IOWA – Coming off its highest ever team score for a season opener, the Towson University gymnastics team travels to Iowa State for a tri-meet on Friday, Jan. 13. The meet, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. (EST), will also feature Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Meet Coverage
The tri-meet will take place in Hilton Coliseum and feature live stats and a live video stream, courtesy of Cyclones.tv. The video stream requires a subscription option and a 24-hour pass can be purchased for $6.95.
Strong Start to the Season
Towson defeated Southern Connecticut State University 193.900-187.600 last Saturday to open the season. The Tigers' team total was the highest in program history for a season opener. The previous highest team score was 193.325 in the 2015 season opener at Kent State with Missouri.
I'm Honored
Junior
Gabriella Yarussi was named NewDay USA Female Student-Athlete of the Week for her performance on Saturday. She matched her career-high with a 9.900 on balance beam to win the event title.
Yarussi is one of 11 gymnasts in program history to score a 9.900 or higher on balance beam. She also competed on vault for the first time since returning from injury and finished seventh overall.
Ranking among the Best
Towson's team total of 193.900 ranks 29
th among all NCAA gymnastics programs. That score is the third best in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL), behind George Washington and North Carolina State. Yarussi is tied for the top spot on balance beam among EAGL gymnasts with her score of 9.900. Her balance beam mark is also tied for the second-highest in the South East Region and is tied for fifth-place nationally.
Along with Yarussi, Towson has five other gymnasts in the Top 10 among EAGL gymnasts.
Melissa Temkov ranks 10
th for the all-around after scoring 38.450 in her collegiate debut.
Erin Tucker and
Cortni Baker are both tied for 10
th on vault and floor exercise, respectively.
Tyra McKellar is tied for seventh on uneven bars and tied for eighth on floor exercise. McKellar and teammate
Mary Elle Arduino are also tied for fourth on balance beam.
Fresh Faces
Fans will see a number of new faces this season. Towson's freshman class consists of Temkov,
Ally Wesoly,
April Bass,
Olivia Lubarsky and
Zoey Packard. In addition,
Jay Ramirez begins his first season an assistant coach. Wesoly made her collegiate debut on Saturday, competing on uneven bars and balance beam.
All EAGL Honorees
Towson returns three gymnasts who were selected to the All-EAGL teams last season. McKellar earned first team honors for the uneven bars, floor exercise and all-around. Arduino also picked up first team honors for the balance beam as the top freshman in the league for the event at the conclusion of the regular season, ranking fifth. Yarussi earned Second Team All-EAGL honors for balance beam.
Last season, the Tigers also had 10 gymnasts earn spots on the All-EAGL Scholastic Team for having a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Up Next
Towson returns home to host EAGL rival George Washington on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. in SECU Arena. It will serve as the Tigers' Team Up For 1 meet.
