Rutgers Gymnastics Shows Promise in Big Ten Opener Despite Loss to Ohio State
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Big Ten season is officially underway for Rutgers gymnastics, and while the scoreboard tilted in Ohio State’s favor on Saturday night, the Scarlet Knights left Jersey Mike’s Arena with plenty to build on. Posting a team score of 194.100 against the Buckeyes’ 195.750, Rutgers showed flashes of high-level execution and individual breakthroughs that could set the tone for the rest of their conference slate.
Let’s break it down event by event, because there’s more to this meet than just the final numbers.
Starting Strong on Vault
Rutgers opened the night on vault, and sophomore standout Rachael Riley wasted no time making her presence felt. Her 9.800 not only led the team but earned her second place overall in the event. Riley’s vault was clean, powerful, and controlled - everything you want from your lead-off gymnast.
Freshman Vivienne Larsen continues to trend in the right direction. In just her third collegiate meet, she posted a career-best 9.700, showing improved amplitude and form.
That’s the kind of progression Rutgers will need from its underclassmen as the season unfolds. Meanwhile, senior Valentina Lorente Garcia made her season debut and turned in a solid 9.675 - a steadying presence as she works her way back into the lineup.
Bars Brilliance
The Scarlet Knights found their rhythm on bars, notching a team score of 48.900 - their highest-scoring event of the night. Delaney Adrian led the charge with a sharp 9.850, good enough to win the individual title outright. Her routine was crisp and confident, showing off the kind of polish that wins meets.
Gabrielle Dildy matched her career high with a 9.825, and Reagan Schenkel tied her season high at 9.775, giving Rutgers a strong trio of scores to anchor the rotation. This was arguably the team’s most complete event of the night, with consistent handstands and clean dismounts across the board.
Beam: Holding Their Own
Beam can be a make-or-break event, and Rutgers held steady here. Rachael Riley once again led the way with a 9.800, showcasing poise and balance under pressure. Her routine earned her third place overall in the event and underlined her all-around value to this team.
While the beam lineup didn’t post its highest scores of the season, the consistency was there - and in a sport where tenths of a point can swing momentum, that kind of stability is key.
Floor Finish with Flair
Rutgers closed the meet on floor, and the energy in the arena was palpable. Elliot Goldsmith and Gabrielle Dildy both brought the house down with matching 9.850s, tying for second place out of 12 competitors. For Goldsmith, it was a season high, and her routine was as dynamic as it was precise - a real crowd-pleaser that capped off the night on a high note.
Dildy, meanwhile, continued her strong all-around showing. Between her bars and floor performances, she’s emerging as one of Rutgers’ most dependable scorers.
What’s Next
The Scarlet Knights now head west for their first road test of the Big Ten season, taking on Washington this Friday night. It’s a quick turnaround, but also a chance to build on what went right in the opener - especially on bars and floor, where they showed they can compete with anyone.
The final score may not have gone Rutgers’ way, but the pieces are there. With veterans like Riley and Dildy leading the charge and underclassmen like Larsen stepping up, this team has the tools to make some noise as the season rolls on.