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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Freshmen Falcons Step Up
December 10, 2006 | Gymnastics
Dec. 10, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Yesterday afternoon the Bowling Green State University gymnastics team held its annual Orange Brown scrimmage in the Eppler Complex. The Orange team made up of juniors and seniors outlasted the Brown 152.25 - 151.65. The Brown was led by freshman Morgan Balzer who scored a 38.225 in the all around.
Head Coach Dan Connelly was very impressed with the early talent shown by Balzer. "Morgan defiantly did a great job for us today. We are really going to depend on the freshman a lot this year. Sometimes it's hard for them to transition, but after today we are going to have high hopes."
The vault was the strongest event for the team last year, and the team was quick to make that statement again this season. Out of the eight girls who vaulted, seven scored 9.500 or higher. Top scorers include junior Jacquelyn Bernhardt and freshman Amber Brewer, who both marked a 9.750. Sophomore Jenna Wirtanen and Rachel Gorley both recorded a 9.725.
Bars was an event that proved to be a challenge last season, however high scores from senior Sakura Tomita (9.800) and junior Ashlee deLeeuw set out to make this season different. Junior Jholeen Ponce picked up where she let off last season, scoring a 9.650, followed by Balzer who hit a 9.625.
Last season senior Bethany Kenel set the pace on beam, and this season she will do the same after recording a 9.800. Following her was the freshman Brewer (9.550) and Megan Chronister (9.550).
With the depart of Jessica Guyer the team will look to new faces to step up on floor. Senior Allison Swafford wasted no time as she hit a 9.850. Senior Erin Coudriet also stepped in and flipped her way to a 9.800. Again the freshman made their mark with Balzer recording a 9.750 and Gorley achieving a 9.700. Seven out of the twelve gymnasts who competed scored a 9.500 or better.
The Falcons are now off for a month before returning to the mats to compete against Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan. This meet is scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m. in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Orange and Brown will come home for a tough competition against last years MAC Champion, Western Michigan. This meet will take place inside the Eppler Complex at 7:00 p.m.
Connelly knows the challenge ahead of him, as his team will open their 2007 campaign facing all six MAC opponents.
