MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Three scores of 9.9 or better on floor exercise helped push the West Virginia University gymnastics team to a first place, 196.025 showing in its home season opener Sunday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.
 
The Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) swept their competition, as New Hampshire finished second (195.125) and Temple finished third (191.925). Of note, the Mountaineers' 196.025 score is a season best and ties the 41st best score in program history.
 
"It's always great to be in the Coliseum," Mountaineer coach Jason Butts said. "I could just see it on their faces when they were walking in earlier today. It's like they never been in the Coliseum before. They just love being here, and the crowd was great today. They were really getting into it, especially on the last rotation. We definitely love being at home, and we just appreciate everyone's support. It definitely makes it easy for good gymnastics."
 
West Virginia posted strong performances in its first rotation and never looked back, totaling season highs on three events. The Mountaineers were victorious on vault with a matching season-high total of 48.9. WVU also scored season highs on the uneven bars (48.9) and floor exercise (49.475) events. The Wildcats won balance beam with a 49.15 total.
 
A WVU gymnast finished first on three events today, including a win on floor for senior Chloe Cluchey. The Woodbridge, Virginia, native collected her first 9.9 of the season, matching her career-high total of 9.925 in the event. She also tied for the vault win with classmate Julia Merwin and Temple's Ariana Castrence, with each student-athlete notching 9.8 scores. Additionally, freshman Kianna Yancey posted a winning, 9.875 on bars, good for a career high.
 
"When you hit routines like that, and you see scores flashing like that, it's fun," Butts said. "It was an incredible day. As coaches, that's why you do the job. You want to see them achieve their dreams and everything."
 
The Mountaineers opened the meet with a 48.9 showing on vault, with all six gymnasts either matching or recording a season high in the event. Cluchey registered a win on vault for the first time in her four-year career, while Merwin earned a first-place finish in her season debut. Junior Michelle Waldron and Kianna finished in a three-way tie for fourth (9.775). Senior Abby Kaufman and freshman Kayla Yancey placed seventh with 9.75s.
 
Kianna's win on bars, the first of her career, highlighted WVU's 48.9 event showing. The Hatfield, Pennsylvania, native has earned a podium finish on bars for the third week in a row. Sophomore Esperanza Abarca followed suit, finishing second with a career-high 9.85 score. Classmate Kendra Combs placed fourth with a season-high 9.775 mark. Kayla finished seventh overall with a 9.725, and Cluchey and Kaufman tied for 10th with matching 9.675.
 
Freshman Abbie Pierson and Kaufman paced the Mountaineers on beam in their third rotation, posting a matching 9.825 in a tie for second. Of note, Kaufman recorded a season high in the event. Junior McKenna Linnen and Abarca scored 9.725s and placed ninth, and Combs tied for 12th with a 9.65 total. Kianna competed on beam for the first time in her career, chipping in a 9.625.
 
UNH's Alyssa Worthington scored 9.9 and finished first overall.
 
WVU's senior anchors on floor continue to set the standard. Cluchey has now won the event title in two meets this season and scored below 9.85 just once. Classmate Erica Fontaine and Combs tied for second with matching 9.9s. Combs landed on the podium for the first time in her career, while Fontaine finished on the podium for the second time this season. The duo also recorded personal bests in the tie. Kianna and Linnen finished fourth overall with 9.875s. Yancey posted a career-high mark, while Linnen matched hers. Pierson tied for 14th with a 9.75 and matched her personal-best score.
 
Competing in the all-around for the first time in her career, Kianna took the crown with a 39.15 total. New Hampshire's Riley Freehling finished second with a 38.475.
 
With the wins, WVU improves to 30-10 all-time against New Hampshire (3-2, 1-0 EAGL) and 49-1 against Temple (2-4, 0-0 ECAC).
 
Looking ahead, West Virginia will hit the road once again, as a trip to Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 31, pits the Mountaineers against host George Washington and William & Mary. Competition is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.