Bowling Green State University
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Falcons Win Home Opener Over Eagles
January 14, 2004 | Gymnastics
Jan. 14, 2004
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team opened their 2004 season with a 193.450-192.975 victory over Eastern Michigan Wednesday night inside the Eppler Complex. Senior co-captain Melissa Popovich, who posted the second-best all-around score in school history with a 39.225, led the Falcons.
Popovich's scores of 9.850 (bars), 9.825 (beam), 9.875 (floor) and 9.675 (vault) surpassed her previous all-around score of 38.975, which she posted last season. Marny Oestreng owns the all-around record of 39.600, set back in 1999.
Popovich was not the only Falcon to shine in the home opener. Junior Kristen DiPietro placed second in the all-around with a 38.525. Her top performances were a 9.850 on beam and a 9.825 on the floor.
Junior Kari Elste, along with Popovich scored 9.850's on bars, placing first in the event. Sophomore Marie-Eve Boisvert placed fourth with a score of 9.800.
The Orange & Brown took home the top four places on the beam with 9.850's by DiPietro and Bre Metzger. Popovich scored a 9.825 and senior co-captain Pia Sjovall posted a 9.800.
In the final event of the night Popovich once again took home top honors with a 9.875 on the floor. DiPietro's 9.825 placed her third, while sophomore Erin McCollam posted a 9.775 to place fourth.
The Falcons return to action on Friday, January 23 when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, when they face-off with Southeast Missouri State University at 7:00 p.m.
