UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The West Virginia University gymnastics team fell to Maryland, 196.25-195.325, in the First Round of the NCAA Pennsylvania Regional Championships inside Penn State's Rec Hall in University Park, Pa., on Wednesday afternoon.
 
WVU tallied scores of 48.7 on vault, 48.55 on the uneven bars, 49.025 on balance beam and 49.05 on floor exercise. The Mountaineers' appearance in the NCAA Regionals marked their 44th all-time, as well as their ninth qualification in the last 10 years.
 
West Virginia opened up on bars for the sixth straight meet, with a fall in the leadoff position putting pressure on the remainder of the lineup. However, the remaining five gymnasts stepped up to hit their routines, with sophomore Amber Lowe led the way with a 9.75. Fifth-year senior Trinity Macy was just behind her with a 9.725. Senior Anna Leigh and junior Brooke Irwin tallied a pair of 9.7's, before sophomore Jayden McDonnell capped the scoring with a 9.675.
 
Moving to vault, freshman Emerson Smtih paced the lineup with a 9.8, just shy of her career high. Freshmen Sophia Rice and Taylor Tuohy posted matching 9.75's, and classmate Karleigh DiCello recorded a 9.725. Senior Brooke Alban's 9.675 wrapped up the rotation.
 
On floor exercise, Leigh led the way with a 9.875, and Rice scored a 9.825. Freshman Riley Maness earned a 9.8, while Alban and Smith were just behind her with a pair of 9.775's.
 
Finishing up on beam, a huge career-high 9.9 for Julia Brown highlighted the final rotation, as it marked Brown's first career score of 9.9 or higher. Freshman Eden Webster secured a 9.825, just shy of her career high, and Leigh scored a 9.8. DiCello tallied a 9.775, and Nelson's 9.725 wrapped up a solid beam rotation for WVU.
 
In the final event standings, Smith finished in second place on vault, while Brown tied for first place on beam. Leigh also tallied a second-place finish on floor.
 
With the result, West Virginia's 2025 campaign came to a close on Wednesday. However, Leigh (floor), DiCello (vault, beam) and Rice (vault) will compete in Thursday's Second Round as individual event specialists. The trio will compete in the second session on Thursday, which begins at 7 p.m. inside Rec Hall in University Park.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.