The No. 15 Golden Gopher women’s gymnastics team lost to No. 18 Penn State by a 191.175-192.900 margin. Carmelina Carabajal took first place on the floor exercise with a mark of 9.825, earning her second floor title in two weeks.

"Carmelina (Carabajal), Ashley Mutchler and Amanda (Miles) were our super stars tonight," said co-head coach Meg Stephenson. "They all did an outstanding job on each event they competed in."

The Gophers were on bars in the first rotation, and compiled a team score of 47.825. Minnesota’s top scorer was senior Stephanie Funk, who finished fourth with a 9.725. Junior Angela Walker was the second-highest finisher for the Gophers, tying for fifth with a mark of 9.625. Penn State’s Katie Perret was the event winner with a 9.875, leading her team to a win on the bars with a team score of 48.275.

"Stephanie was awesome on bars," said Stephenson. "She stepped up and did what she needed to do, it was a great routine."

Minnesota moved to the vault in the second rotation, and struggled, earning the team’s lowest score of the competition. The Gophers tallied a 46.750, while Penn State had a team score of 48.575. Senior Kelly Ganchan was the top scorer for the Gophers, earning a 9.700 to tie for fourth place. Junior Ashley Muchler was seventh in the event with a 9.600. Rosie Smith was the event winner, earning a 9.800 for the Nittany Lions.

"Kelly Ganchan did a beautiful vault, and Ashley Mutchler did great in her first vault this season," Stephenson said.

The Gophers earned their highest team score of the night on the floor, winning the event 48.625-48.075. Carmelina Carabajal was the event champion with a 9.825. Junior Andy Cornelius was also in the top three, finishing second with a mark of 9.775. Juniors Ashley Stanton and Amanda Miles tied for sixth place on floor with scores of 9.700.

"Alexis (Russell) was wonderfu on floor," said Stephenson. "Ashley Stanton was awesome on floor, the whole team was solid on floor."

On the beam, Minnesota tied with Penn State with each team earning a 47.975. Ashley Mutchler was the top scorer for the Gophers, earning a 9.750 to mark her best score of the season and tie for second place on beam. Amanda Miles was fourth, earning a 9.700. Stephanie Sullivan was the event winner, scoring a 9.825.

Minnesota had one all around competitor, Alexis Russell. The freshman earned a 36.950 in the first all around performance of her Gopher career.

Minnesota is next in action on Saturday, January 27, when the team hosts Utah in dual meet action. The competition will begin at 6 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion, and will feature a post-meet autograph session with the current Minnesota team and Gopher gymnastics alumnae.