WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After nearly two full years away from competition, anyone would expect some rust as the Cornell gymnastics team returned to action. After a shaky first rotation, the Big Red settled down and posted a 188.825 mark to place fourth at George Washington's Lindsey Ferris Invitational on Sunday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center.

After a quarter-century as the team's assistant and associate head coach, Melanie Hall was one the sidelines as a head coach for the first time. Cornell responded, posting its highest score in the first meet of the season since 2019 while competing for the first time in 681 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifteen Big Red gymnasts experienced their first collegiate meet, with a number taking center stage.

Cornell's 48.750 on beam was behind just meet winner Penn (48.950) for second and just .350 off the school record. Sophomore Regina Walton led four finishers in the top 10 by posting a 9.850 to take second overall. Her score is tied for the fifth-best mark by a Big Red gymnast. Senior Mirand Lund (fifth, 9.775), freshman Kate Michelini (seventh, 9.750) and freshman Sydney Beers (10th, 9.700) rounded out the top 10 finishers in the event.

Junior Victoria DeMeo was the team's top finisher on floor, leading off the meet with a 9.700. The Big Red was forced to count a pair of falls, as the team's 46.100 put Cornell a point behind the field after the first rotation. 

Rotating to vault, three newcomers scored 9.600 or better with Beers and junior Amy Krueger each scoring a 9.625. Walton was close behind with a 9.600. 

On bars, Mechelini had a 9.750 to place sixth overall at the meet, but the Big Red was again forced to count two falls with a team score of 46.475. 

Cornell will compete at home for the first time this season when it welcomes West Chester to Newman Arena for a dual meet on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. The meet will be broadcast live on ESPN+.