ADDITIONAL INFO
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s gymnastics team opened the 2020 season in the new Covelli Center with a 194.025-193.800 win over N.C. State on Saturday afternoon.
The Buckeyes earned victories on three of the four events as a team – vault (48.675), uneven bars (48.825) and floor exercise (48.925). Senior Olivia Aepli also secured three first-place finishes to be named the team’s MVP.
“Overall, we just needed to get started,” said head coach Meredith Paulicivic. “It was really nice to see them have a good comeback on floor after a little disappointing beam set. Floor was something we struggled on a lot last year, so for me that was a big step forward for us.”
The Buckeyes started the meet on vault, where Aepli posted a 9.850 to take first place. Sydney Jennings and Raina Malas both scored a 9.775, which tied for second.
Next on uneven bars, Aepli claimed another top spot by receiving a score of 9.850. Jenna Swartzentruber finished in third place behind a 9.800.
The Buckeyes struggled on balance beam with a score of 47.600. Despite the drop-off, Morgan Lowe and Ella Hodges both managed to earn a 9.825 on the apparatus to tie for first.
Ohio State bounced back with a strong finish on floor exercise to close out the season opener. Aepli and Claire Gagliardi recorded a 9.875 to share first place.
Aepli was the sole Buckeye competing for the all-around title, where she came in third with a 29.575.
The Buckeyes jump into Big Ten action next weekend when they travel to East Lansing to take on Michigan State Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. The Spartans opened their home schedule on Saturday by finishing second in a tri-meet with Central Michigan and Illinois State.
