A record-breaking performance by sophomore Erin Shanley was the highlight of Towson State's victory over six East Coast schools at the 10th Towson State Invitational yesterday at the Towson Center.
Shanley's first place all-around score of 39.025 was the second highest in Towson State history and a meet record. She broke another meet record with her first-place floor exercise score of 9.775. Her score of 9.8 on the balance beam was a meet record, as well, and put her in a three-way-tie for first in that event with sophomore teammate Sari Lehmuskallio and William & Mary junior Lynn Dameron.
"I knew I could do it if I just wanted it enough," said Shanley, who has placed first in four of five meets this season. "We changed my beam routine today, and I knew if I hit that everything else would be fine."
And everything else was fine. Shanley placed first on the uneven bars (9.725) and on vault (9.725).
"When you score a 39, you just didn't make any mistakes," said Towson coach Dick Filbert.
"I had a strong feeling that Shanley and [Wendy] Chalmers would really light up this meet," said Filbert.
Chalmers, a senior, had her best meet of the season, placing second in the all-around competition.
Towson State's team score (190.7) was also a meet record. Yesterday's victories over George Washington (187.325), Maryland (183.35), North Carolina (182.875), William & Mary (182.875), Temple (181.7) and Pennsylvania (177.55) gave the Tigers a 14-1 record at midway through their season.
Towson State, ranked 29th nationally, faces No. 8 Kentucky on Friday, the first of three straight away matches for the Tigers.
"It's going to be real hard to get back in the top 20," said Filbert.
Meanwhile, Maryland (11-7) will hold its first home meet of the season, against Temple, next week.
Team scores: 1. Towson State, 190.7 (Invitation record); 2. George Washington, 187.325; 3. Maryland, 183.35; 4. (tied) North Carolina & William & Mary, 182.875; 6. Temple, 181.70; 7. Penn, 177.55.
Individual results: Vault--1. Shanley, TS, 9.725; 2. (tied) Lehmuskallio, TS; Hrynko, GW, 9.65; 4. Johnson, TS, 9.625; 5. Breidenback, M, 9.60. Uneven parallel bars--1. Shanley, TS, 9.725; 2. Zimmerman, T, 9.70; 3. Chalmers, TS, 9.675; 4. Moran, M, 9.625; 5. Sturek, TS, 9.55. Balance beam--1. (tied) Lehmuskallio, TS; Shanley, TS; Dameron, WM; 9.80 (Invitation record); 4. Eaves, WM, 9.675; 5. (tied) Moran, M; Mitchell, NC; 9.625. Floor exercise--1. Shanley, TS, 9.775; 2. Lehmuskallio, TS, 9.70; 3. Ackerman, GW, 9.65; 4. (tied) DiNatale, M; Burton, P; 9.60. All-around--1. Shanley, TS, 39.025; 2. Chalmers, TS, 38.275; 3. Eaves, WM, 37.375; 4. Austin, NC, 37.150; 5. Mitchell, NC, 37.025.