MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team (1-0) took first place in its season-opening dual meet against Temple inside WVU Coliseum in Morgantown on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers posted a team score of 193.8, while the Owls finished second with a final score of 191.9.
Opening its campaign at home for the first time since 2021, WVU began the meeting in the basement. Each gymnast scored a 9.7 or higher, led by a trio of 9.75 seniors Kiana Lewisa student in his second year of studies Carly Nelson And young Sierra Mons. A pair of 9.725 from the fifth year Abby Pearson And young Brooke Alban Scoring was rounded out for the Mountaineers as they posted a team total of 48.7 in the event.
West Virginia was strong on the uneven bars, hitting six of six routines in the first bars tournament of the year. A student in his second year of studies Emma Weary She led the way with a 9.825 in her first career appearance in the event. Classmate Miranda Smith He earned a 9.75 at the top, while a freshman Amber Lowe The Mountaineer debuted with a 9.725. Alban and a student Jayden McDonnell He added a 9.7 and 9.675 respectively to round out the rotation and help WVU to a team score of 48.675.
In the third session on balance beam, Smith led the way with a 9.8 in her career debut. Wehry was right behind her with a 9.775. Lowe earned a 9.75 and Nelson added a 9.575, but Pearson’s fall — a 9.075 — unfortunately counted for an event total of 47.95.
After completing the floor exercise, West Virginia struggled to regain momentum after a beam rotation and scored a 48.475. The rotation was led by two scores of 9.775 from Pearson and the freshman Gurney Lane, which made its Mountaineer debut in the final round. Alban was just behind with a 9.75 while Lowe (9.6) and Lewis (9.575) took the WVU meet.
In the final event results, Wehry earned her first win of the season on bars, while Smith earned her first career event win in a tie for first on beam. Five other Mountaineer gymnasts placed in the top three in the event standings on Sunday.
Of note are Lin, Lowe, McDonnell, Mounce and a freshman Julia Brown They recorded their first career double at West Virginia in the season opener.
Next, the Mountaineers prepare for their first road trip of the season, as they travel to Champaign, Illinois, for a quad meet against Illinois, Western Michigan and UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, January 13. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Eastern time inside Hof Hall.
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