BOSTON, Mass. – Led by first-place finishes from junior Cortni Baker and senior Tyra McKellar, the Towson University women's gymnastics team opened the 2018 season with a fourth-place finish at the Little Boston Invitational on Saturday at Hynes Convention Center.

The Tigers totaled 193.800 points which was just a tenth of a point short of last year's season-opening score of 193.900 against Southern Connecticut State which is the highest in program history for a season opener.
 
Temple won the meet with a score of 194.875 followed by New Hampshire (194.175) and Maryland (194.100).

Another highlight of the night was the return of seniors Lauren Cahalan and Katie McGrady who competed for the first time in two years due to injury.
 
How it Happened

• Towson began the meet on bars, totaling a 48.375, highlighted by senior Tyra McKellar who finished third with a 9.825. Senior Katie McGrady posted a career-high 9.750 to finish eighth while junior Mary Elle Arduino came in ninth at 9.725, just shy of her career-high of 9.750.
• The Tigers moved to beam for the second rotation, totaling a 48.750. Senior Mary Elle Arduino finished second with a 9.850 while senior Lauren Cahalan placed 10th with a 9.775. Senior Katie McGrady made her first career appearance on the beam, finishing 12th with a 9.750.
• Towson had its best performance on floor in its third rotation, placing second with a 48.725, just behind Temple who had a 48.900. Sophomore Melissa Temkov posted a career-high 9.800 to finish third, leading three Tigers in the top-10. Senior Katie McGrady placed sixth with a 9.775 while senior Tyra McKellar came in ninth with a 9.750. Junior Cortni Baker just missed the top-10 with a 9.725 while senior Lauren Cahalan was the fifth Tiger in the top-15 with a 9.675. Senior Mary Elle Arduino just missed her career high of 9.650, finishing 18th with a 9.600.
• On their final rotation, the Tigers had two of the top three scores on vault en route to a 47.950. Junior Cortni Baker won the event with a career-high 9.850, besting her previous best of 9.725. Senior Tyra McKellar finished second with a career-high 9.825, surpassing her previous mark of 9.775. In her first collegiate meet, freshman Tess Zientek made her first career appearance, totaling a 9.500 to finish 21st.
• Senior Tyra McKellar won the all-around competition with a 39.075, just shy of her career-high 39.300. Junior Mary Elle Arduino finished fifth with a career-high 38.800 while sophomore Melissa Temkov came in sixth with a 38.125.

Up Next

• The Tigers will make their home debut on Sunday, January 14 inside SECU Arena against Temple and William & Mary beginning at 2 p.m.