The University of Pennsylvania women’s gymnastics team began its 2026 season with a victory over Cornell and Bridgeport at an event in Ithaca, New York. The Quakers achieved a total score of 194.850, surpassing Cornell’s 192.775 and Bridgeport’s 188.700. Five Penn gymnasts secured first-place finishes across different events.
On vault, junior Jordan Barrow won with a score of 9.850, one of her three victories during the meet. Senior captain Alisha Werlen and sophomore Manama Fofana tied for third place with scores of 9.775, while senior captain Marissa Lassiter placed sixth with a 9.750.
In the bars event, Barrow and sophomore Luci Toczydlowski both scored 9.825 to share first place. Lassiter and junior Sophia Paris tied for fourth at 9.775 each, and freshman Ruth Whaley marked her debut by placing seventh with a score of 9.750.
Barrow also shared first place on beam with Werlen, both scoring 9.750. Sophomore Mimi Fletcher followed closely behind at 9.725, while Fofana and sophomore transfer Maggie Murphy each posted scores of 9.650.
On floor exercise, Fletcher and freshman Ava Hooten matched scores of 9.775 to claim first place in that event as well. Senior Alyssa Rosen finished fourth with a score of 9.725 to start her final year competing for Penn.
The team’s total score of 194.850 is the highest opening meet result in program history, narrowly surpassing last season’s record-setting opener by just over one-tenth of a point.
After securing six first-place finishes throughout last season, Barrow started this year with three wins in the opening competition alone.
The Quakers continued their recent success against Ivy League rival Cornell, whom they defeated twice in the previous season.
Three freshmen—Ruth Whaley, Ananya Patanakul, and Ava Hooten—made their collegiate debuts for Penn during this meet.
Penn will travel to Washington D.C., next Sunday to compete against George Washington University and West Chester University.
For more updates on Penn gymnastics, follow @PennGym on X or Instagram or visit PennAthletics.com.
