UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – The Towson University gymnastics team competed in the Towson Invite at The Show Place Arena after two weeks out, taking second place with a team score of 195.400, just .2 shy of its highest team score of the season.
 
Towson's highest mark was on beam with a score of 49.050 as the Tigers came up .05 shy of 49 scores on vault and floor.
 
The Tigers earned individual champions in three events: Lauren Keener won the beam and Callie Gardner won vault, each earning a 9.900, while Isabella Minervini tied for first on bars at 9.850.  Minervini took second in the all-around, totaling 39.250.
 
George Washington won the meet, having a team score of 195.750.  Temple got third at 194.700 followed by New Hampshire at 193.850 and William & Mary at 192.850.  Towson wins the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) meet against UNH to go to 1-0 in the league.
 
How it Happened for Towson (in Rotation Order)

• Vault (rotation two) – 48.950
  • Polina Belanovski started with a 9.775 after Towson had the bye in rotation one.  Following a fall on the next competitor, Isabella DeCroo and Ava Harper had a 9.775 and 9.700.
  • Towson finished very strong, beginning with a 9.800 for a career-high from Isabella Minervini.  Callie Gardner finished in style, notching a 9.900 to wipe out the earlier fall on her career-high.
• Bars (rotation three) – 48.450
  • Lauren Keener and Lauren Greene got Towson started off with a 9.725 and 9.675, then Clara Hong notched a 9.750.
  • Isabella Minervini capped off with a 9.850.
• Beam (rotation four) – 49.050
  • As the beams went on, Towson's performances got stronger.  Isabella Minervini went second and scored a 9.775.
  • Towson's final three routines solidified the teams 49+ score, starting with Clara Hong earning a 9.825.  Lauren Keener earned a 9.900, then Chelsey Dennis finished with a 9.875.
• Floor (rotation five) – 48.950
  • A trio of 9.7+ scores got Towson started on floor, with Isabella DeCroo starting with a 9.725 followed by Ana Kenefick at 9.775 and Carmella Calafati at 9.725.
  • Clara Hong and Isabella Minervini went back-to-back with 9.825 scores, finished up by Polina Belanovski at 9.750.

Inside the Numbers

• Towson has had the individual champion on the uneven bars in three of four meets this season.
• Isabella Minervini has competed twice in the all-around in the last two meets, earning a top-two finish each time.

Next Meet

• Towson has a quick turnaround, heading to Philadelphia for a five-team meet at Temple on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.  The Tigers will take on all the other EAGL teams: George Washington, LIU, New Hampshire and tournament host Temple