CLEMSON, S.C. – The Towson University gymnastics team started the year with a dual meet at No. 19 Clemson, falling in the battle of Tigers 196.150-193.550.
 
A newer look Tiger team used six new contributors in its meet against a top-20 foe, nearly earning a 49-score with a 48.950 on floor.
 
Towson had the lone two all-around competitors in the meet, with Isabella Minervini notching a 39.200 and Polina Belanovski, in her first time on all-around for Towson, having a 38.700.
 
How it Happened for Towson (in Rotation Order)

• Bars (rotation one) – 48.450
  • Piper Slocum, competing for the first time in rotation as a Tiger, started the event with a 9.650, followed by Lauren Greene  improving with a 9.700.
  • Needing to make up for a fall, the following three hit its routines.  Polina Belanovski began with a 9.600, then Alison Ritch, in her first event as a Tiger, landed a 9.650.  Isabella Minervini finished with a team-best 9.850.
• Vault (rotation two) – 48.575
  • The veterans started the vault rotation with four strong scores.  Adriana Hoffman began with a 9.725, followed by Polina Belanovski's 9.600.  The seniors continued with Isabella DeCroo hitting a 9.750 then Isabella Minervini landing a 9.775.
  • After a fall on the fifth spot, Towson made up for it as true freshman Jocelyn Lannon anchored with a 9.725.
• Floor (rotation three) – 48.950
  • Towson's got off to a strong start on floor with the first four athletes earning at least a 9.775.  Carmella Calafati and first-year Natalie Lindgren each had 9.775, then Isabella DeCroo and Isabella Minervini each notched a 9.800.
  • Again needing to make up for a fall, Polina Belanovski came through with a 9.800.
• Beam (rotation four) – 47.575
  • Polina Belanovski scored a 9.700 on the second spot, but Towson had a couple of early falls which dipped the score.
  • The Tigers finished strongly as Isabella Minervini scored a 9.775 and Celia Trotter finished with a 9.700.

Inside the Numbers

• This was Isabella Minervini's sixth first-place finish in the all-around in her time at Towson.  It is the eighth time she has notched at least a 39.200 on all-around.  Minervini's 9.850 on bars tied for second in the meet.
• Several Tigers made their first appearance in rotation for the Tigers: Madison Draser, Emma Duerre, Jocelyn Lannon, Alison Ritch, Faye Rodio and Piper Slocum.
• This was the first-ever meeting between Towson and Clemson.

Next Meet

• Towson opens at home for the Chellie Calloway Invitational on Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. vs. West Chester.  Towson season tickets are available for just $20 for all four meets: https://am.ticketmaster.com/towson/buy/gymseason