The University of Pennsylvania gymnastics team will travel to Washington, D.C., for the Lindsey Ferris Invitational, where they will compete against George Washington University, Cornell University, and West Chester University. The event is scheduled for Sunday, January 18 at 1 p.m.
Penn enters the meet following a strong start to their season. Junior Jordan Barrow has secured first place finishes in three events so far: bars (9.825), beam (9.750), and vault (9.850). Last season, Barrow claimed first in six events.
Several new athletes made their Quaker debuts this year. Sophomores Luci Toczydlowski, Maggie Murphy, and Skylar Goodstadt competed alongside first-year gymnasts Ava Hooten, Ruth Whaley, and Ananya Patanakul. Toczydlowski finished first on bars with a score of 9.825 while Hooten led on floor with a 9.775.
Penn’s opening meet score of 194.850 against Cornell and Bridgeport marked the best opening season score in program history.
Six First Team All-GEC honorees return for Penn: Jordan Barrow, Manama Fofana, Marissa Lassiter, Sophia Paris, Mimi Fletcher, and Alisha Werlen. Lassiter and Werlen are serving as team captains for the 2026 season.
Head coach Kirsten Becker is entering her fifth season with Penn’s gymnastics program. Becker is noted as “the only coach in program history to win four conference championships.” Assistant coaches Casey Zacot and Mabry Craddock join her on staff.
Last year the Quakers ended their campaign ranked No. 45 nationally by Road to Nationals and are aiming to improve upon that ranking this season.
In the most recent national rankings for week two, Penn stands at No. 37 overall; George Washington is ranked No. 50, Cornell No. 54, and West Chester No. 70.
Junior Barrow is tied for first in Northeast Regional rankings on vault.
George Washington opened its season with a quad meet against Maryland, New Hampshire, and Long Island University—placing third with a total score of 193.200.
First-year Alison Mun took first place on vault with a score of 9.875.
Senior Deana Sheremeta finished first on beam (9.850) and all-around (39.025).
Cornell began its year competing against Penn and Bridgeport; they placed second with a total of 192.775.
Sophomore Sarah Goetter shared first place on floor (9.775), while senior Cami Whitaker was second in vaults (9.825).
West Chester started its campaign at Towson but lost to the Tigers by scores of 187.900-195.325.
Senior Sarah Eskew scored a team-high on bars with a mark of 9.750; junior Lydia Stoner earned a similar result on floor at 9.725.
